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Posted on Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:50 a.m.

AnnArbor.com endorses Barack Obama for U.S. president

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Barack Obama came into office facing daunting challenges: a struggling economy, two wars, fractured relations with some of our nation’s allies.

The Associated Press

We’re not completely happy with the way things have gone during Obama’s first term as president. But the country has made progress in a number of key areas, and we believe the president deserves a chance to finish what he started—while challenger Mitt Romney hasn’t made a compelling case for change.

The single most important issue facing the nation continues to be the health of the economy and, in particular, the stubbornly high unemployment rate. Things are getting better, but very slowly. Romney argues that employment should be higher than it is, and that he could accelerate the pace of improvement. But his plan to accomplish that—make sure everyone has a good education, open new markets, and so on—is not clearly articulated. This economic recovery was most likely doomed to be extremely slow no matter who was in office for the last four years, and it will probably continue to be slow no matter who’s in office for the next four.

One thing seems clear, especially with the benefit of hindsight: Economic conditions in Washtenaw County, the state of Michigan, and the country as a whole would be much worse without the government’s bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler. And Romney not only opposed using government money for that purpose, he predicted the demise of the U.S. auto industry if it happened.

Intertwined with the economy, of course, are concerns about the massive federal budget deficit. Its growth is troubling, but a country trying to climb out of recession might need to live with that problem for a while. Both candidates acknowledge the need to address the deficit, but we believe that Obama has proposed the most practical approach: He supports relatively modest increases in the income-tax rates for the highest earners (back to 2001 levels), and in the capital-gains tax rate. These are reasonable, responsible moves that would raise considerable revenue. Romney says he could eliminate the deficit while cutting taxes further for pretty much everyone, yet we haven’t seen enough detail on how he would do that.
What else would Romney do differently than the president? He’d repeal health-care reform, probably the signature domestic achievement of Obama’s first term. While we have some serious concerns with the package, it clearly hasn’t had a chance to work or not work at this early date. And repealing it all in January would surely create an unholy mess for the health-care industry, which is vital to Washtenaw County.

On other, perhaps less pressing, domestic issues, Obama simply makes a better fit for our area: Obama is pro-choice on abortion while Romney opposes it; Obama has come around to support same-sex marriage while Romney has not. And Romney seems to have little to no regard for clean-energy initiatives, an area where the Ann Arbor area could become an important player in the coming years.

Finally, on foreign-policy matters, Obama’s record leaves little to complain about. In an era when simply keeping a lid on things probably counts as a win, we’ve seen the military kill Osama bin Laden, one war ended, and international relationships repaired. Even Romney seems to agree with the administration on most substantive foreign-policy matters.

If Obama does win a second term, we’ll of course hope to see continued economic growth. But there are other areas where he could, and should, show more leadership. We’d like to see more attention paid to the concerns of small businesses, which remain vital to the country’s present and future. We’d like to see more of the Barack Obama who, as a candidate, expressed a clear appreciation for the special challenges facing the Great Lakes. And most of all, we’d like to see more bipartisan cooperation. Yes, Congressional Republicans deserve criticism here as well; but the president can do a lot to set the tone, and early in his first term Obama missed a chance to truly move past the paralyzing partisanship that’s become the norm in Washington.

Comments

LyingMittRomney

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.

One more point: The biggest problem were going to face in the future is the debate about our prison population. We have millions of people walking around feeling subhuman because they get a job and feed their families. As a result, Crime is on the rise and will only get worse and do their Childeren deserve to pay the price for their parents mistake? America is only as strong as it's weak and most vulnerable. These people need to be given a second chance to become apart of mainstream society, except for the mentally insane people that kill 40-50 people at a movie theater. You think your safe superban american, but guess what, their coming for you! If Mitt's elected it will be sooner than later. Traditional Republicans that no how to work across the isle no longer exist, that's now the Neo-Con / Tea Party your supporting. The John McCains are on the verge of extinct....The decent people with a brain and america's best interest are no longer their or left the party.

LyingMittRomney

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.

Thanks Ann Arbor news for representing the Intellegent side of society. What would be interesting to see is how many of these Romney supporters voted for president Bush's second term, they'll never learn. I see that all these Fox News heads are out in full force, but please excuse them because they suffer from severe Romnesia...unfortunately some more than others.....Now let's recap:
Mitt Romney:
* Won't full disclose his tax returns? Fact: ships millions of dollars to the Caymen Islands to avoid US taxes, now that's real patriotic and suitable for president, in fact those 3 letters should never come from his mouth.
* As we speak Bain Capital is in the process of shipping jobs to China and Mitt is still a stake holder in the company that had it's workers train Chinese workers for their own jobs. Fact: how can you believe this guy is going to save our economy when this is his life long business practice that's being taunted in his own speech.
* Signed the NorthQuist pledge not to raise taxes on the super wealthy and encouraged business CEO's to threatened their workers that they will pay the price if he's not elected. Huum, sounds like a civil rights violation and voter supression to me. Does this sound Patriotic and someone that you can trust to play by the rules.
*Has a five point plan, but none of his supporters can tell you details of the plan because he hasn't given any details. Just trust him, afterall he's made his millions in outsourcing for the past 25 yrs. and knows how the appeeze big business CEO's that enjoy having 4 or 5 mansions.
*Wants to privitize medicare and turn it into a voucher program that places you at the mercy insurance company's bottom line profit margin.
* Want's rehaul Social Security and allow you to invest in into WallStreet, the same guys that are responsible for the lost of 30-50% of your 401k a couple of years ago.
*Want's to roll back civil rights for women and minorities.
*Wants to privitize FEMA, just think about New Jersey!

pfdixboro

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:27 a.m.

Not finding a way on their web pages a way to send messages to AA.com reporters or to send a letter to the editor, I will just note this little evidence of crazy politics. I put up 14 or so campaign signs on mine and friend's or public property along major roads in north Superior township. None were molested except the 4 President Obama signs on two of the main roads. All were removed the next morning, including one on my property.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 11 p.m.

Everybody knows that Rmoney is as fake as his salesman smile.

pfdixboro

Thu, Nov 1, 2012 : 3:28 a.m.

Would you buy a used car from that man?

Arborcomment

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:40 p.m.

First time in forty years:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121027/OPINION03/121026026/The-Register-endorsement-Mitt-Romney-offers-a-fresh-economic-vision?Frontpage&amp;nclick_check=1

bobslowson

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.

Pretty telling that the Salt Lake City endorsement of Obama said this about Romney:
&quot;Sadly, it is not the only Romney, as his campaign for the White House has made abundantly clear, first in his servile courtship of the tea party in order to win the nomination, and now as the party's shape-shifting nominee. From his embrace of the party's radical right wing, to subsequent portrayals of himself as a moderate champion of the middle class, Romney has raised the most frequently asked question of the campaign: &quot;Who is this guy, really, and what in the world does he truly believe?&quot;

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.

Indeed

susie

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.

You've got to be kidding me. You endorse President Obama, but then at the same time endorse Mark Ouimet?!!? Does not show much credibility when you endorse a straight ticket voter like Ouimet, who votes to cut education; and then endorse the President, who aplauds public education and wants to see stronger schools. Shoud've kept it with Preisident Obama and Gretchen Driskell. Shame on you.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who got us out of one costly war and is getting out of a second costly war or a candidate who rattles his saber and wants to be a war president and get us into another costly, deadly and totally unnecessary one with Iran.
Romney will be a disaster of a President, doubling down on the failed and extremely costly Bush policies of more tax cuts for the rich, throw the middle class under the bus while serving his 1% buddies and another decade long most likely nuclear war with Iran.

Arborcomment

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.

And you continue with a combination of both ignorant historical accuracy and Grimms fairytale projections.
Exactly when did Obama get us out of Iraq, and under what accords signed by whom in 2007?
When you're done with the secret war plans on Iran, keep them under your foil hat for safekeeping.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.

Well, you know that some people think the world is flat and that God is an old man with a white beard who lives on a cloud.
Romney's a salesman, pure and simple. Would say or do anything to seal the deal. He's the Boss who likes to fire people, the one people talk about behind his back.
Everybody knows this. He can't be trusted.

simone66

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 3:52 p.m.

Not everyone agrees with you, and that's democracy.

debling

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 3:20 a.m.

debling endorses Jill Stein for President. Go GREEN PARTY GO

genetracy

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.

So members of the A2.com endorsement team met and recommended Obama. How long did the meeting last, two minutes?

Joe Baublis

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.

I respectfully disagree with A2.com assertion about the most important issue facing the nation, and incidentally the assertion about &quot;progress&quot;. The nation isn't great simply because of the status of the economy and this is easily demonstrated by recognizing her consistent historical greatness in spite of numerous economic disasters. She is great because she provides freedom for her people. Freedom allowed her people to develop what we all take for granted today - free speech, free religion, and free markets. Progress is a deceptive term, often a coded message, which implies that the government will terminate freedom and provide for the people what is engineered by whatever fashionable social theory is currently in vogue.
Your so-called &quot;unemployment rate&quot; is a mathematical fraud, and many are aware of economic, scientific and academic fraud in green energy. The significant element to consider is the number of able-bodied persons who could work and that number is closer to 23 million. The &quot;unemployment rate&quot; is merely another fraud perpetrated on the People by a corrupt government.
A2.com has also perpetuated the national debt-deficit fraud. Our children's children would be ashamed of you because they will be paying that debt, interest only - forever.

P. J. Murphy

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.

Joe, we've had &quot;freedom&quot; disasters too you know. Remember slavery? We were among the last to ban it. Or our treatment of native peoples? Not much freedom for them. Or the fact that only males could vote until 1920? In the South, African Americans weren't enfranchised until the mid-1960's . It's worth noting in each case that committed citizens were able to petition and change the government in order to broaden the base of those who could live with independence and dignity.
And as for your &quot;free&quot; markets. Well, take a good look at the 19th century in the U.S. Private interests ran rampant, formed powerful monopolies, and freely exploited farmers, workers, and their customers. The economic disasters you refer to were a cyclical series of boom and busts, often accompanied by fraud, corruption, and significant damage to society as a whole.
Government wasn't the only solution, but it played a key role in regulation as well as the passage and enforcement of laws that insured the &quot;free&quot; market integrity. Sure, government is imperfect, It is just as prone to mismanagement or corruption as any other human institution. No argument there.
But you seem to associate government corruption with liberals, or as they're sometimes called progressives. What about the Bush administration? Neglect of national security, (9/11 &amp; Katrina), fiscal irresponsibility (deficits even larger than Obama's), foreign policy incompetence (Iraq War). And then there is the financial bust, a whole catalog of institutionalized abuse and fraud that culminated in the worst crash since 1929.
Did Bush scare you Joe? Did you rail against him during his 8 years of incompetence, cronyism, and military blunders? Sir, I'd wager you didn't. It took someone of another party to &quot;wake&quot; you up and see the looming abyss of government mismanagement. Well, forgive me if I find your argument deeply flawed by political convenience.

shepard145

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.

So you're unaware of Obama's positions &quot;shape shifting&quot; as he panders form one audience to the next? Or maybe like most obama supporters, you just don't know much about him, his policies or his many many many failures. I imagine that would make is it much easier to vote of the worst president in a hundred years. On the bright side, Jimmy Carter is thrilled to look like a stately by comparison.

A Voice of Reason

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:33 p.m.

Really? Because of his social positions? Gosh, raise your daughters not to be victimized by the Democratic party.
Democratic Party=Victimization of Women! We do have brains you know!

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.

That's the spin of a whirling dervish. Pretty convoluted how you came to that conclusion without any context or evidence whatsoever.

Bill Wilson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:31 p.m.

C'mon folks... look at the link I posted this morning:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama-says-hell-renew-pursuit-of-grand-bargain-offering-specifics-on-agenda/2012/10/24/0e2b843c-1e0e-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_story.html
This was a front page story on last Thursday's Washington Post.
Any candidate, and especially a sitting president who would make such a claim as was made in this story is a charleton.
I hope that AnnArbor.com was unaware of this story before offering its endorsement. If they were aware, and offered their endorsement anyway, well, A2.com's credibility is certainly lacking.
Care to address this, Ms. Gardener?

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:04 p.m.

do you really think anyone other than you and me are reading this? Expecting an answer to your inquiry is delusional

Roger Kuhlman

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.

Yes vote for Barack Obama if you don't care about fiscal responsiblity and are willing to add mountains of more debt to the National Debt.
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you think the government should control more of the economy and have more people dependent on it.
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you think it is fine to give virtually all illegal aliens amnesty and massively increase legal immigration. All these cheap imported workers won't hurt American citizens who are poor, working class or aspiring middle class!
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you favor continuing rancorous partisan deadlock and incivility in Washington.
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you want to reward the politically most divisive Presidential candidate in American history who pits one American group against another. War on Women, class warfare, racisms against black citizens, ethnic hatred and prejudice against hispanics
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you want to reward his stewardship of the worse economic recovery in American economy.
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you favor crony capitalism and direct support of busineses run by Obama's friends.
Yes vote for Barack Obama if you favor bailouts for favored big businesses who have close political connections with the Obama administration. If you are a small business threatened with bankruptcy, see if you get a special deal and privileges that General Motors and Chrysler got.

I seem to have struck a nerve or found a cheap imitation. I guess both.

Pug

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.

I will pray for the candidate that is elected to President, however, I am voting for Romney.
My reasons are not financial. I am making my decision based on God's values and know that when we follow his guidance, we live much happier, richer (not money) lives. Although we may not feel that His morals and instructions are always fair or easy, He knows what is best for us. He thinks LONG term. When we follow His morals, live a life dedicated to serving others, and worship Him, then we gain a new prospective. Be careful, the devil is tricky and unfortunately I am very fearful that our soceity is giving into the devil's easy road that leads to destruction. I do not support abortion or same sex marriage. Emotional wounds are tough, but when you study the bible, pray to God, surround yourself with good Christian friends, seek counseling, then you will gain a new prospective that can change your life in amazing ways.
God Bless the USA!

1bit

Wed, Oct 31, 2012 : 11:22 a.m.

Pug, unlike newspapers, God doesn't make presidential endorsements.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9 p.m.

I'm happy that you're a Christian. Good for you. Honestly.
But that does not give you, Mitt Romney, or any other religious fundamentalist of any faith or belief to impose in any way shape or form, particularly by way of law, your religious beliefs on any one person or group of people, much less on an entire nation of 300 million people whose beliefs are different from yours.
Holding dogmatic beliefs with no room for compromise (under penalty of eternal damnation when you die) is exactly what the Taliban are doing in Afghanistan at this very moment.

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.

First of all, newspapers (whether distributed online or as paper) shouldn't endorse any candidates. They should be objective and REPORT the news. Having said that, I am not surprised by this endorsement, because you can tell that's how they FEEL just by reading what they choose to cover and the opinion pieces that they published.
Do a search on BENGHAZI in the AA.com search window and it'll bring you exactly three articles, with the most recent being a year and a half ago. AA.Com does not report the news, they distribute Democratic talking points. Period. So, I am in no way shocked by this endorsement. Pathetic!
...And I agree with Halter, thank goodness it's meaningless.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.

The last time I looked, newspapers and online news outlets were either privately held entities like NBC (Westinghouse) or member supported like NPR (me).
It's so typical of Right Wing Conservatives to try to stifle free speech that they disagree with.
And it's a utter hypocrisy for Right Wing Conservatives to stifle free speech of a privately held company.
So what if your local online source doesn't report about Libya the way that you want. or from the perspective that you like. There are literally thousands of other sources at your fingertips and remote control. Fox News?

Sparty

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.

Making the rounds is a YouTube clip from a 2011 GOP primary debate in which Romney says that federal disaster relief maybe isn't such a good idea.
Services that can be provided by the states should be shifted to the states, rather than the federal government, then-candidate Romney said, but it's even better to shift government services to the private sector.
Prompted by moderator John King to expand his stance on federal disaster relief, Romney said that it's something &quot;we cannot afford to do… without jeopardizing the future for our kids… it is simply immoral, in my view, for us to continue to rack up larger and larger debts and pass them on to our kids, knowing full well that we'll all be dead and gone before it's paid off. It makes no sense at all.&quot;
So, that'll play well with folks on the east coast, watching flood waters rise and waiting for the power to go out.
But what's most important to note is that Romney's comments underscore the GOP's untenable stance on small government.
The Romney campaign is doing its best to focus on the first portion of the governor's unfortunate FEMA critique, the idea disaster relief is more appropriately conducted on the state level (never mind that, as in Katrina, local first responders were overwhelmed), and totally ignoring the whole part about how disaster relief should maybe be outsourced.

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.

Anyone who believes that Romney will fight for American jobs after he made his bazillions tearing down American companies and sending the American jobs to China is either not paying attention or has some other agenda.

Mike K

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:49 p.m.

Not one word about Obama's failed &quot;investments&quot; in green energy. That alone is reason to fire him. If I invested your money like that, I'd be brought up on criminal charges. And here you &quot;endorse&quot; him.
No mention at all? As Romney pointed out in the first debate - you can hire a heck of lot of teachers for the price of those failed investments.

Mike K

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.

Frank: you need to understand where the deregulation happened. Glass-Steagall was &quot;changed&quot; by Clinton. In fact, the democrats as a party wanted nothing to do with regulating Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac even though Ron Paul stood in fron to them in 2003 and told them what was going to happen. It is a verifiable fact. Not even a need for discussion on this matter. It happened, and the ideologues on the left ignored it. So if you want to talk about wealth being destroyed, you may want to look at the democratic party.
Your gripe about &quot;the elite&quot; is just class warfare. Kudos, it works.
So let's avoid the pleasant diversion you've created and get back to today. Obama bet lousy with our money on his ideology. Fire him when we have the chance. My two daughers owe about $110,000+ in national debt, and they are hardly at puberty yet. I don't have that much in savings myself.

Frank Lee

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

After massive deregulation of the banking system by the GOP, you'll be hard pressed to find grounds for prosecution of any investor. However, you could have safe guarded yourselves by purchasing derivatives that would pay out when a knowingly bad investment fails. Then when all the assets aren't worth crap, the GOP led government will bail you out right before they leave office.
I know it seems like a conflict of interest and a double dip with the American people left holding the bag, but the elites are doing well. Sure, some had to step down from their position and collect millions of dollars in severance, but &quot;triple dip&quot; has a nice ring to it. You guys keep focusing on a handful of failed &quot;green investments&quot; from the first president to ever really try and reduce our dependency on oil, while the rest of us realize when and where the largest fleecing of the American people took place. I wish you well on &quot;firing&quot; presidents and proper tire inflation.

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.

And of course, some clueless lib has already voted down. You are absolutely right, Mike. Obama has really backed the losers when it comes to the bankruptcy of green energy companies. What a joke. But everything is okay, I just made sure that I had all of the right air pressures in my tires, doing my part to save millions.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:13 p.m.

If Romney gets into the white house be ready for this
http://www.alternet.org/environment/
not-just-mourdock-meet-7-
other-republicans-trying-
block-abortion-rape-victims

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.

Considering in vitro fertilization? Don't. Under Faux President Romney, it becomes illegal. Raped? Under Faux President Romney, victims of rape will be FORCED to carry the child to full term. Yeah that sounds fair and just the guy I want as President! (sarcasm of course)

bobslowson

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.

How is it a straw man? Romney's website is VERY CLEAR on the policy he wants to make regarding abortion and in vitro fertilization. The hard right has been downplaying that as Romney flip flopped to his &quot;softer&quot; tone of course...but it's black and white on his website.

I just could never vote for someone who has no problem telling so many lies
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012
/09/08/mitt-romney-616-lies-in-33-weeks/

Frank Lee

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.

@Dewayne – you seem awfully hung up on the tragic events in Benghazi that cost the lives of four Americans, yet totally complacent with Romney writing off 47% of the US population as needing to &quot;take care of themselves&quot;. What you call &quot;lies&quot; are factually unconfirmed. What Romney calls &quot;those people&quot; are millions of Americans. It is clear video evidence of him pandering to whatever audience he is seeking to woo and creating a divide amongst the very people he is seeking election from.

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.

Really? Yeah, that was a credible article. Interesting...that you are probably okay voting for someone that watched his Ambassador die in Benghazi, while withholding military support that could have saved him. And I'm sure that you don't consider it a lie when he tried to explain that it was a protest that spontaneously turned violent...LIE, caused by an anti-Muslim video...LIE, without any premeditated terrorist activity...LIE. And after weeks, going on months, I'm sure that you are okay with voting for a person that is so indecisive that he's still waiting for internal 'investigations' to determine what happened...LIE. Oh, no. Just running under the political cover provided by this and every other, errrr-cough 'news organization' resume cough, until after the election. What a pathetic joke! And you, Sir are part of the 47% that Romney was referring to when saying there is nothing that he can do to change your mind, because yours is bought and paid for, whether with ignorance or entitlement program, doesn't matter.

Roadman

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.

I believe that Mitt Romney will have a pro-Israel foreign policy if elected.

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.

Netanyahu has said repeatedly that Obama's stance on Israel is as firm and pro- as it is possible to be. Are you looking for a US president who is more pro-Israel than the Israeli prime minister?

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.

At the expense of all and everyone else in the region.
For a lot of Republicans Israel is a religious issue and it's impossible to debate with people who, if they call to question their religious beliefs in any way shape or form, they will burn in hell.
Except to pander to the religious Right, your or Romeny's religion has no place in legislating or determining foreign policy.
As if Obama doesn't and that only comes from Faux Noise.

Old Salt

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.

Just another reason for me not to renew my subscription to annarbor.com

Mike K

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.

Well, if they endorsed Romney, they'd probably lose a heck of lot more subs from this looney city.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.

it's free

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3 p.m.

WHen you vote, ask yourself if you want to elect a President who will serve all the people or one who likes to fire them.
Ask yourself if you want a President who think that a woman's body, her health, her womb and her eggs are hers and hers alone or one who thinks and associates with people who think rape can be legitimate and must carry the rapists fetus to term.
As yourself if you want a President who has kept us out of war and is winding down his predecessors monumentally expensive and deadly follies or one who like to rattle his saber and wants to a War PResident and get us into another mistake in Iran.
Ask yourself if you want a President who doesn't care who you marry or one who wants to reserve that privilege only for one man and one woman.
When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who expanded health care insurance to millions more Americans or one who think all you need to do is go to the Emergency Room so you won't die in your apartment.
Ask yourself if you want a President who think Social Security is a good thing to be preserved for all or one who think that privatizing it, putting it in the stock market so Wall Street can reap the profits and the investors can lose everything.
Ask yourself if you want a President believes that we are all in this together or one whose party thinks that as long as I have mine, too bad for you, you're on your own.
Romney is a salesman, pure and simple. A good one. We've seen it in the debates and his slick presentation without facts and only rhetoric. Some people eat that right up and then wonder why they feel hungry a few hours later.
Well, this cowboy ain't buying no pig in no poke.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.

Did any of you know where BENGHAZI was before Fox News reported it? Kind of like Herman Cain and Libibya.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 5:45 p.m.

Dwayne? Like all the other right wingers who post here, you get your talking points directly from Rush and Fox.
BENGHAZI! BENGHAZI! BENGHAZI! Keep throwing mud on the wall until some of it sticks.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.

Mike prefers to blame the messenger because he knows the message is the truth.

Wow, I would put you in the hopeless category. You're characterizations are a joke and definitely not accurate when attempting to describe the candidates, either of them! We're in this together?! You can't be serious. How many White House dinners have you attended with Barack, Beyonce, Jay-Z or Oprah? Give me a break. In this together...was he 'in this together' with the Ambassador and Navy Seals in Benghazi? Oh no, Vegas was calling!

Bill Wilson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.

I'm a bit surprised that Conservatives either missed this, or fail to glean the importance (Dems, of course, will just pretend it didn't happen):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/obama-says-hell-renew-pursuit-of-grand-bargain-offering-specifics-on-agenda/2012/10/24/0e2b843c-1e0e-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_story.html
So, Obama can fix everything in just 6 months... and of course, it's the 6 months AFTER the election.
If it can be done in 6 months, why isn't it already done?

Arborcomment

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.

This and the 20 page, pretty pictures, glossy &quot;plan&quot; was brought in very late by the Obama campaign when they realized their central effort of &quot;when you can't run on your own record, - attack your opponent's&quot; was not working. It was quickly recognized as puff.
Probably made by the same &quot;brain trust&quot; that cooked up &quot;Julia&quot;.

vivian

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 11:12 a.m.

That's a really good question.

chris crawley

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

the real question is--- an attempt to sway public voting. I want facts, not opinions from the news media. e expect a newspaper to report news, not to put out propaganda in any direction.
the comments section is for opinions, not the news area.
That the AA News takes sides in any direction is morally offensive.

Arborcomment

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.

What a brilliant response there Plank! You need to go work at the Pentagon - they could use your sage advice for their next Quad review.

walktheplank

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.

Al Qaeda wants up to spend trillions on unnecessary weapons and ships. Just like Rmoney.

Arborcomment

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:44 p.m.

Your moniker fits you nice Plank. Department of Defence Quadannual Defense Review 2010 (for FYDP years 2011-2015) states minimum requirement of number of ships at 313. We are currently at 285. Obama's entire smarty pants answer, refuted by his own defense department.

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.

Hey, Mr. Plank...I served in the Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Storm) and carried a bayonet, so that joke is as inaccurate as it is unfunny. It also shows the president's lack of knowledge and experience with the military.
I love it how all you libs can ever say is Fox News, that's it. CNN, MSNBC are so Nut Jobs of the left, then you move on to your moderate lefties, ABC, CBS and NBC. It would be extremely funny, if it weren't so serious.
Chris is absolutely right, newspapers should report the news, but they don't. They package their biases and they distribute it. Period.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.

Don't be silly. You're suggesting that Fox News only reports facts without propaganda?
So you're saying that Fox News is morally offensive? I agree wholeheartedly.
I guess you've never heard that newspapers used to have an &quot;opinion&quot; or editorial page. But I guess reading went out with bayonets and horses

NoPC

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.

Gee. AnnArbor.com endorsing Obama. Who would have every figured???

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4 p.m.

yes...who would've thought since they haven't endorsed a democrat in 16 years. I know....FOX news viewers have no use for facts

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.

Romney is a corporate hack nothing more nothing less.

Gerry

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.

Who says Romney doesn't have a plan. He will:
-Strengthen the banking industry by rolling back regulations to where they were in the run up to the Lehman collapse.
-Balance the budget by giving multimillionaires the 0.38% tax rate that they would pay under Ryan's budget.
-Ensure civil liberties by sticking the govt's nose into people's bedrooms.
-Lower oil prices by taking energy policy away from those commie greens, and giving it the noble oil executives who are writing his energy policy.

simone66

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 11:04 a.m.

While I will not be voting for either Obama nor Romney, I never really understood why newspapers bother to 'endorse' a particular candidate. Surely not everyone on the staff of any single newspaper, overwhelmingly endorse said candidate. With that said, needless to say, endorsements mean nothing and I hope people realize this and just vote the way they plan to based on their solid decision.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:34 p.m.

Don't kid us. You're a Romney voter.

GoNavy

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:43 a.m.

Good to know that AA.com has an opinion, just like everybody else.

WWBoDo

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:27 a.m.

If it were anything else other than the comedy team of Laurel Champion, Paula Garnder, Bob Needham and Cindy Heflin, I might take notice. As it is, its simply amusing. I just wish they didn't somehow think that they speak for our area or any other grouping of intelligent people. Sorry.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

They speak for their news organization. Nowhere does anything say that they speak for you or anyone else.
If you think they do, you should stop reading this right now.

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:42 a.m.

Amazing, how adult U.S. citizens came to be satisfied with their choice (between the lesser of two evils).
Why is it that choosing between candidates is always choosing (our perceived) &quot;best&quot; of two evils. With Romney we get the same old elitist / &quot;We can buy any government we want&quot; crowd and with Obama we get the old &quot;Everything would be Perfect if we just ban guns&quot; crowd. And the worst of it is: Both parties spend millions of dollars (in donations, no less) on spreading propaganda (aka, lies and distortions and evasions).
How about, before we choose / elect anyone: we establish the Doctrine of Honesty? Or is it that we enjoy having our buttons pushed to incite us against the &quot;other party?&quot; Why are we so utterly tolerant of (and enthused about) political parties using deceit, obfuscation and pot-stirring on us?
Honesty builds trust and trust builds societies and civilizations. No system of commerce can exist without honesty - any economy lacking in honesty will lead to disaster. Why isn't there a Doctrine of Honesty established to erase the mistrust and anger that divides us? Our laws and our religion both demand honesty of us: WHEN are we going to demand that our politicians stop being dishonest, stop violating our trust and our religious beliefs?

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.

I disagree. I don't believe that it's the lesser of two evils. I believe that there is a lot of propaganda that you have to wade through, of course, but at the end of the day, you know where each candidate stands and the choice is easy.
Mr. Plank, I'm not afraid to admit that I'll be voting for Romney, because I know the principles that I stand for and I believe that he's more closely aligned with them. You mentioned abortion. One candidate believes that life begins at conception and the other believes that you can take a baby to full term and still kill it inside the womb. Now, you can try and make it about rape and in vitro and all of that, but Romney's position is that he is Pro Life, period. Any plan that has ever been sponsored or discussed always includes the straw men of rape and incest, so there's no need to go there, it's ridiculous.
That was just one example, I could go on and on, because I know how I feel. The Dems need people to be dependent on them, while Republicans prefer to empower people to be independent. I know that these principles are foreign to you, but food stamps are not the american dream.

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.

Romney voter too afraid to admit it.

Elena

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:32 a.m.

I was glad to read that AnnArbor.com endorsed President Obama and agreed with the well thought out reasons for doing so, especially in how President Obama's policies will benefit Washtenaw County and Michigan. I was disappointed in reading the comments that just attack both AnnArbor.com and President Obama without providing that same insight - the well thought out reasons. It is not helpful to just throw out unfounded accusations. If I had to pick the main reason I am supporting President Obama it is the Affordable Care Act. But there is so much more: reproductive rights for women, equal pay for women, his approach to reducing the deficit, his support of the American workers, his honesty and transparency, his strategy for American independence from foreign oil - while doing his best to protect our environment, his support of LGBT rights, his support of Detroit auto companies, ending the war in Iraq, his work to end the war in Afghanistan and his administrations total support of our troops. I trust him because of his record. I do not trust Romney because of his record, primarily with Bain - ruining companies in this country and facilitating transfer of jobs to China. Also, his lack of transparency by not sharing his tax returns and numerous comments of his that show he does not understand at least 47% of Americans.

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.

This is exactly the kind of thing that I'm talking about; reproductive rights for women, as though Romney is against them. It's incredible how we try and use cute little phrases to change what the topic is really about. Abortion is about killing human life, it is NOT about a woman's right to reproduction. Give me a break. Talk about having honest discussion.
Total support of troops? Uh, unless they are the ambassador to the embassy in Libya.
Affordable Care Act. So, the reason you support him is because he is going to give you something (something that someone else will be paying for)?
-His approach to reducing the deficit?! Okay, you are really going to have to help me with that one, because the debt is now at an astounding $16,209,324,316,723.66, so what 'approach' would you be referring to.
It really amazes me how easily sheep are lead. Unbelievable!

Tru2Blu76

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:59 a.m.

Elena, well said - my only disagreement is with the idea that President Obama is honest. He slides into ideological viewpoints too easily for me to accept. He still thinks that banning guns is &quot;the right idea&quot; (a real hot button issue with a huge and growing segment of our population). But on the whole, I lean toward having him in preference to Romney (who is a member of a religious cult, a self-confessed sadist and a crypto elitist). We can go back and forth on these two (as we have many times in past elections) but Obama is really just the lesser to two evils. Neither party and neither of their candidates is honest - and dishonesty is something we can't tolerate in &quot;the leader of the Free World.&quot;

P. J. Murphy

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:21 a.m.

Maybe you don't like Obama much. Fine. But Romney? A shape shifter whose rhetoric consistently sacrifices political integrity for a marketing pitch aimed at whatever audience he's addressing. In a profession not noted for sincerity, he's set a high watermark for pandering to whatever audience he is seeking to woo. He's spent his entire campaign running from most of the positions he actually implemented when he was governor of MA. It's hard to believe that voting for such a weathervane wouldn't make people at least a little queasy.
His positions on tax policy and deficit are transparently bogus, they sound practical only if you believe that budgets are unrestrained by simple arithmetic. His foreign policy advisors are notorious hawks, but in last debate he sounded more like Obama than Joe Biden does. These are only two examples of a lengthly and well documented list of flip flops.
His only reliable asset is the he is the &quot;un-Obama&quot;. Clearly for some minds here that's all that's necessary. But it's hard to believe that voting for such a weathervane wouldn't make most people at least a little queasy.

Sue

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.

What else would we expect from AA.com?

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.

Yeah...what would you expect from a newspaper that has historically endorsed republican candidates. Facts can be your friend.

Sparty

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.

Awesome. Has AA.com ever endorsed a Democratic Presidential Candidate other than Obama ?

Madhatter

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.

I would like to address the race-baiting going on in this discussion. It appears that some people are making accusations that race is a factor in this election and it seems to me that there is an implication that you are a racist if you don't like the president. Frankly, I could care less if someone wants to accuse me of being racist for voting for Romney. My opinions and decisions are just as valuable as others, and nobody is going to tell me who to vote for or what I must believe. I happen to believe that Barrack Obama is a terrible president, and the initiatives of his administration have been aweful and detrimental. I am also disgusted with the petty behavior and immaturity of the democratic party.
I would like to point out that people, like myself, voted for Obama the first time. However, I will not be voting for him the second time. If as many people in this country were racist as some have implied, this president would not have won the 2008 election. You can imply and call us racist all you want. I think the reality of the situation is that many of these people are scared that they won't get their way, and they will do anything to get the president re-elected. These people are progressives that firmly believe they are correct and everyone else is too stupid or ill-informed to make the best decision. They will do anything to get their way including blind allegience to the deomocratic party--no matter how many scandals erupt, making unfounded accusations against people--like they are racist, trying to intimidate and scare people--like starting a war on women, distract us from real issues with petty drama--like saying Romney will kill big bird, use racial scare tacticts--like saying they will put you back in chains, and trying to dishonor people--like the many smear tactics we see today. I don't think it ever occured to them that people simply do not like what the president has done, and they are ready to move on to someone else--like Mitt Romney.

vivian

Wed, Oct 31, 2012 : 6:39 p.m.

bobslowson, the GOP probably does contain some racists and good ol' boys. The Democratic party contains airhead 19-year-olds who are just as clueless as any good ol' boy (check out some of the videos featuring young Obama supporters--besides, plenty of good ol' boys are pretty sharp). It also contains people who applauded the racist sermons of Jeremiah Wright. So? That doesn't mean that the values the parties stand for are represented by these members. Look at their founding principles, and look at what the party leaders who are asking for our votes say--or better yet, look at what they do. Making sweeping generalizations about large organizations on the basis of a small sample of their membership is illogical. Besides, if walktheplank is correct, everybody's a racist-- Democrats and Republicans alike. I'd almost be willing to accept that position if it meant we could just drop the whole subject. The term 'racist' has ceased to mean anything concrete in modern political discourse.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

The war on women is real, and the GOP is polluted with racists and good 'ol boys...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/
election-2012/powell-aide-
gop-full-racists-article-1.1193673

walktheplank

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.

We can never have an honest discussion about race and racism until every last one of us admit that we have prejudices that result in racism and bigotry.
Me first.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:45 a.m.

Good for you !

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:17 a.m.

There are so many posts attempting to undo the effect of the AnnArbor.com endorsement that it makes me wonder which comments are from regular, local AnnArbor.com readers and which are part of a political attack against the AnnArbor.com editorial staff and the majority of voters in Washtenaw County.
These attacks on the President aren't balanced by recognition of 9-11, the sham of WMD's that were said to be in Iraq so that Bush era operatives could get Congress to go along with them, and removing regulations that might have saved &quot;Main Street&quot; from Wall Street designed derivatives and other economic shenanigans.
The endorsement by Ann Arbor.com is significant, regardless of what some have written. If it weren't significant, why would there be attacks on the endorsement.
By the way, when a newspaper in Utah, specifically in Salt Lake City endorses President Obama, that's a big thing, too.

1bit

Wed, Oct 31, 2012 : 11:16 a.m.

Wow, shep. Anyone can see that Fox and MSNBC are biased news outlets. Really, it's obvious.
Oh, and the UN weapons inspectors said before the war they had no evidence of an active WMD program in Iraq. Turned out they were right.

shepard145

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.

FOX News does not endorse anyone. However it is the only balanced news network in the country. Given any rational comparison between parties, no functioning adult would take obama seriously. ...and by the way, wasn't it the UN Weapons inspectors in Iraq for 11 years who said he had WMD's? ....or don't you have a bumper sticker to educate you of that fact? LOL
Meanwhile we have a massive cover up of the terrorist attack in Benghazi by your hero - where's your outrage?

Sonoflela

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.

Fixed, I mean FOX News endorses Romney 24-7, what is the impact of that propsganda?

Sonoflela

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.

I could except and respect some of the arguments on this blog more if folks would say what they really mean. All the birther crap and and asking for college transcripts is an eye opener in to the underlying racism that still exists in this country. I happen to think that the Obama's are one of if not the most beutiful family to ever occupy 1600 Penn.

vivian

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 11:31 a.m.

It sounds as though you're saying that a commenter can't possibly have any reasons for wanting to know about the president's past except racism. That's one of the silliest things anyone's said lately.
You think the Obamas are a beautiful family. Fine. So are the Romneys, aren't they? What does that have to do with competence?

Sonoflela

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.

Some of these comments on here make it obvious to me what the problem is, &quot;Race&quot;. One can most certainly appreciate the level of voter enthusiasm that was shown for President Obama in 2008. Regardless of what great accomplishments he has made in the last four years there are some in our community and country that would rather not have a black president in the white house. Not even Mitt Romney could have fixed the mess that GWB left us in

Is it not equally convenient to blame Obama for everything bad thats going on in this country? you might not fix in four years what took eight to destroy. As for Romney, he should start marketing flip flops seeing how he changes his mind so often about what he believes and stands for. The Binladen's and Bush's are all the same, both families have profited more than any other off of this terror crap i.e. The Carlyle Group, Halliburton and friends, talking about sleeping with the enemy.

Mike

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.

Actually, the mortgage fiasco was precipitated by bad loans to low income people demanded by Democratic legislators. I know it's convenient to blame Bush. But, most of what you have been fed by the daily rags is a lie.
I voted for Barack Hussein Obama the first go 'round but will not the second. You get the economy you vote for. You want to re-up for more of this? Have at it. Not me.

Madhatter

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:40 a.m.

I guess the people cannot decide for themselves who and what they believe in--they need annarbor.com to do that. This newspaper is a textbook example of the progressive mentality--you can't do it yourself. You can't think for yourself, you aren't capable of making the right choice, you are too dumb to know what the truth is, you need leaders to tell you what is right, etc. If you vote for Barrack Obama, that is exactly what you will get--four more years of people telling you that you don't know and they are the experts.
I know what's best for me, and I know what I believe in. Annarbor.com--thanks but no thanks. I'll stick to my own decision and vote for Romney.

P. J. Murphy

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:32 a.m.

Interesting theory. I'd be curious to know if you feel this &quot;progressive mentality&quot; can also be applied to the many publications that have endorsed Mitt Romney.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.

Good for you !

shepard145

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.

I see you failed to learn anything from the AA News bankrupsy. Corrupt, nonsensical, ignorent, biased reporting by democrat operatives will continue to cost this organization jobs as you make fools of yourselves. You have &quot;endorsed&quot; the worst president in a hundred years because you're clueless.

arborarmy

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.

&quot;I see you think you know as much about history as you do politics. There will never be enough nonsense written on this board so keep it coming!! LOL From this point on, I will no longer respond to anything you write.&quot;
Translation: confronted with actual facts, Shep signals surrender.

shepard145

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.

&quot;....The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 required all American servicemen to be out of South Vietnam but allowed the North Vietnamese Army to remain.&quot; I see you think you know as much about history as you do politics. There will never be enough nonsense written on this board so keep it coming!! LOL From this point on, I will no longer respond to anything you write.

arborarmy

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.

Just more factually challenged posts by our buddy shep.
There was no peacekeeping force to cut funds from in Vietnam. The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 required all American servicemen to be out of South Vietnam but allowed the North Vietnamese Army to remain. And who signed that &quot;peace&quot; treaty that amounted to a surrender. OBAMA!!! No, seriously, it was a Republican named Nixon.
The missile shield in Poland protected Poland from nothing. It would have protected the US from missiles fired from Iran. Yes, the Poles are upset that that system will not be built, but for symbolic reasons, not because it offered any real protection. Kind of like Shep's posts don't contain any real facts.
Leaks? Given that the members of Seal Team 6 have written two unauthorized books and had a reputation for drunkfests in local bars where they routinely spilled the beans about the things they had done, it seems clear the source of the leaks about the raid on OBL.
But keep on with your fiction, Shep. Confirms for all of us the complete ignorance on which most conservatives base their decisions.

shepard145

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.

I would have a great time discussing Marxism with your hero obama. My guess is that he knows as much about that as he does our market economy ...which is not much. I would spend most of our time schooling him on his incompetence as MR did.

shepard145

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.

Truth stings a bit, don't it. More pain for you Kool Aid drinkers: Bin Ladin's location resulted from enhanced interrogation intelligence by President George W. Bush's administration. Due to obama's leaks and immature political game playing, Seal Team 6 now has generous rewards offered for their deaths in both theaters of battle and the Doctor who helped the US CIA locate OBL is in a Pakistani prison for 33 years. Who cares, right?
Obamas Nobel Peace Prize made a laughing stock of that award, making it irrelevant in the eyes of the world.
How did obama get Khdaffi and how are we better off that he's dead?
Obama is dis-arming the United States - that sounds great to those who don't know anything about national security. Obama also disarmed NATO in Eastern Europe, handing the Russians the missile defense shield for nothing in return.
The US economy is a disaster on every level and one of the few reasons we are not experiencing hyper inflation is that many EU leaders are just as stupid as obama but their socialists had a head start.
BTW, who negotiated the end of Vietnam, only to have democrats strip funding from the peace keeping force?

Oh, and saved the American auto industry and millions of it's jobs as well. Thanks Mr President !

Sparty

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:03 a.m.

Not Nixon, Not Bush, Not Hoover ... All Republicans by the way, but one of the 4 US Presidents to win the Nobel Peace Prize, who got bin Laden &amp; Khadaffi &amp; most of Al Qaedas leaders, end the Iraq War, start the end of the Afghan War, reduce nuclear weapons with Russia, create 5 million new jobs over 32 straight months of job growth and 13 quarters of GDP growth. Amazing.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.

Good for you Shepard !

Brad

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.

That &quot;bankrupsy&quot; sucks. It is, in a word, &quot;ignorent&quot;. I can't begin to argue with that.

taxpayer united

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.

Right On shepard145 say it like it is.

arborarmy

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.

Yes, Shep. That's why the Sooze endorsed Bush in 2000 and 2004, and didn't have the bravery to endorse anyone in 2008.
Just another factually challenged post by Shep.

Seasoned Cit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.

The fate of the US Auto industry hasn't been decided. GM Stock still sucks, Bond holders got screwed (all weren't part of the 1%), Unions and Govt own the place.. so let's wait a while and see how successful Obama's take over vs. a normal bankruptcy would have been. Ford didn't need Govt help and Chrysler got picked up by Europe... Should the Govt step in and save broke Newspapers??.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.

Okay, you do realize that a precipitous loss of millions of jobs during an economic collapse is a bad thing, right? Maybe worse than a big bank failing, right? Both the banks and the auto industry were &quot;too big to fail&quot; at that moment in time. There was no other rational way so get over it. Ford was smart/lucky and got a 23 billion lifeline right before the collapse - that wasn't available for GM or Chrysler. If GM/Chrysler both went down, then the auto suppliers would have gone and so would have Ford. Don't take my word for it - Alan Mullaly testified before Congress saying exactly that!

You actually endorse raising capital gains taxes? Do you realize how much money is sitting on the sidelines waiting on the outcome of the election? Raising capital gains will kill investment and punish those who were responsible enough to save for their future. And the &quot;unholy mess&quot; IS Obamacare. Take some time and interview a few physicians who are not tied into the University.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:49 a.m.

Good for you Ricardo !

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:42 p.m.

Raising the capital gains tax is a no-brainer. This isn't a 99% issue, it is a 99.99% issue. The cap gains tax rate in the Clinton years didn't work out too bad did it?

djacks24

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.

Didn't see that coming...

Max

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.

You might want to read about &quot;socialism,&quot; so many here seem to fear. It ain't as bad as you might think
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/opinion/sunday/welcome-to-america-take-a-number.html?ref=opinion&amp;_r=0

Max

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:13 a.m.

No connection? If you read the rants against the threats of socialism, the invectives against the President ... how about the argument for higher taxes in exchange for a better functioning civil society? How about a murder rate that is 1/7 of the one here? How about a functioning infrastructure? How about a more civil behavior towards the other? People with air-light-tight political blinders cannot see any relation, I know ...

sneekysneaky

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.

I read the editorial and what does that have to do with this discussion? The writer had a hard time relocating from Germany to Virginia. Absolutely nothing revealing any positive about socialism.

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:06 p.m.

Good god man.. that's a link to the socialist efficiency of Germany. there's plenty to distrust in nationalist socialism..

katmando

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.

Anyone but Romney and his teapartiers!

tammrm

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.

Poor Obama. If he wins the election, just think of the mess he will inherit!

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:50 a.m.

Good call !

David Paris

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:08 a.m.

You should have been here four years ago!!!

Max

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.

I think he will not be as schizophrenic as the Republicans who think that we are people without a sense of history

James J. Gould

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.

Why is nobody talking about the Muslim Plant theory that is so rampent on the internet.
Is he a muslim planted in the White House by the Saudies to destroy the US or not ??
He's certainly acting like it. How did someone with no history get so far so quick ??
This has to make you wonder how it all happened and why it happened. Very scary !
Happy Holloween !

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.

Nobody is talking about it because most of see through FAUX News noise as &quot;just making stuff up&quot;

ummsw

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:07 p.m.

Seriously.....

Sonoflela

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2 a.m.

it is Americans like you that are scary, Reaching really far..............

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:40 p.m.

Republicans don't bring it up because they don't want their Christian base to know they are voting for someone who isn't Christian.

Dog Guy

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.

Maybe, James J. Gould, he was born in the USA and his polygamist parents were therefore not legally married and he is just acting as traditionally expected of someone of illegitimate birth. There are a great number of possible reasons for destroying America. Read his autobiographies in which several such reasons are set forth.

Max

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.

It must be Halloween. The fools are out in massive numbers

a2citizen

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.

Well, it's on the internet...so it must be true.

carrier

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.

You not only have have President Obama's excuses, er, I mean story line, down pat. You can even repeat it.
But the questions is, what is he going to do differently to fix things the next four years? I don't see much detail coming from his side.

Arborcomment

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.

There's only about five pages worth:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/rulings/promise-broken/

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.

@ Arbor....the President had control for two years? That's a right wing fantasy. The Right wingers had a fillibuster on most issues. The Dems had a super majority for about 49 days/ Al Franken was not sworn in until July 7th 2009 and Ted Kennedy died on August 25, 2009

Arborcomment

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.

With a few points:
1) &quot;GOP&quot; is not the President.
2) President had both houses of Congress for 2 years.
3) Politifact lists 28%, fully a quarter, of GOP promises as &quot;not yet rated&quot; - Obama's: 0% &quot;not yet rated&quot;.

Mitt Romney is a liar, not a very good one either. If he becomes the President, it will be &quot;Jim Jones&quot; all over again. There will be no America as we know it right now...the whole country will be a cult! All Romney cares about is money and he knows abut nothing except for lying and refering you to his website for everything else. Yeah I am sure that is the kind of President we want! One who tells us to,&quot;check his website.&quot;
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/07/02/mitt-romney-stericycle-controversy_n_1642468.html
Wake up people, he has yet to give us an outline of what he will do, except for repeal everything he voted for in President Obama's favor. Seriously?

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.

Lying is one thing Romney is good at!! Credit where credit is due!!
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012
/09/08/mitt-romney-616-lies-in-33-weeks/

mady

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.

Yams, too right! you bet your Holy Underwear!

taxpayer united

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:02 p.m.

@ Walktheplank give it up. Common every one has a right to there opinion as do you. But, man enough is enough.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:01 p.m.

Can't handle a little freedom of speech like the TP'er's always complain about?
your name says it all, mr 1% lover.
When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who serves all the people or a Boss who likes to fire them.

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.

Here's a pretty good analysis of today's undecided voters:
http://www.bartcop.com/Undecided_brain.jpg

Tom Todd

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.

Yes on Obama. Yes on Prop 2. No on the rest.

Tesla

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.

I'm going to buy some stock in Alcoa. Tin foil sales should be on the rise soon. lol

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:38 p.m.

You have just won the internet for that post. Hilarious!

Mick52

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.

Somehow this does not surprise me. The Obama administration has been abysmal. Coming into officer in 2009, the President had both houses of Congress in his pocket to an extent he could do whatever he wanted.
The result was a disaster of a health care plan, the loss of Ted Kennedy's seat in the Senate to a republican, and the majority in the House of Representatives. Now he complains that he can't get taxes increased on the upper class, but why didn't he do that in '09-'10?
&quot;8. The U.S. national debt rises at an average of approximately $3.8 billion per day.&quot;
( http://finance.yahoo.com/news/12-scary-debt-facts-for-2012.html )
He gives millions to &quot;green energy&quot; companies that go bankrupt. $7500 to people to buy a Chevy Volt, a car most people can't afford even with the subsidy for a car that is not selling and is costing GM millions.
Iran continues its nuclear weapon program. Our ambassador to Libya was murdered after requests for more security. Al Qaeda is still active despite the President's continued reminder Bin Ladin is dead ( http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/politics/fact-check-al-qaeda/index.html ).
My objection to him as president in 2008 was simply that he did not have the experience to be President. He has proven me correct. Things have

Sue

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:09 p.m.

Mick52, don't ya know, everyone who didn't vote for Obama is a racist bigot, and that alone is why we didn't vote for him. No other reason is acceptable. Simply because he's (half) black, not voting for him proves that those who didn't vote for him are all racist bigots.
I hope you understand that now so you can stop trying to justify yourself with lame excuses like his complete lack of experience.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.

Correct you are, good job !

a2citizen

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.

Is the country ready for another black president?

Sonoflela

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:56 a.m.

What difference does it make what color the president is?

Tesla

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.

Is the country ready for a Manchurian Candidate?

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.

IS there another one running? Because Rmoney is as white as his Made in China Costco shirts.

tim

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.

Considering Ann Arbor has a 5% unemployment rate why change? Only history will tell how Obama did his first term and how bad the economy was when he took office. Things were vey bad - things got better but could the economy have created more jobs/ One thing for sure is you can't believe either campaign during election season.

Tesla

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.

Cool. I dig President Obama.
Republicans creep me out.

janejane

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.

It's very hard for me to endorse a candidate that has seemed impervious to women's rights, Roe vs Wade, civil rights of gay constiuents (same sex marriage, DOMA) and the separation of church and the constitution. I know this post will receive huge thumbs down; that's another thing I find very sad.

Ricardo Queso

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:24 p.m.

So how could you endorse the first Obama? At one point he was against the killing of the innocent and he was only outed on same sex marriage when his drunken uncle of a veep stepped in it again.

mady

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.

janejane, I agree with you. I could no more vote for Mittster than I could cut both thumbs off. so, will i be voting for Obama? you bet your Holy Underwear!!! you get two huge thumbs up from me.

Bill Wilson

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.

Women don't have rights Jane... human beings have inherent rights and citizens have rights that pertain to those extended as a privilege of being a citizen of our nation.
If you'd like rights that are based on gender and race, head on over to Russia or Red China.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:38 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who is moving forward or the one who will double down on the failed economic policies of borrowing, spending and tax cutting for the rich that got us into this mess.

Arborcomment

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:11 a.m.

And right about now, I'd take a President that would serve the people by doing a little firing. He could start at the State Department - their security office, and as high up?, move on to GSA and VA for their gilded conferences, Department of Energy and as high up? for Green Cronyism (now over 100 DoE IG investigations - Hoover Institute study shows &quot;71% of Obama's DoE loans/grants went to individuals who were bundlers, members of Obama's national campaign finance committee or large donors to the democratic party). Perhaps end with a little broom work at DoJ.

Arborcomment

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:28 a.m.

Plank, you played a historical omission. I provided you a historical fact. So sorry.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.

This generation is already paying for Bush's tax cuts and two wars off the budget book. Or have you forgotten that the debt was already $8 TRILLION and jobs were being last at a rate of 800,000 per month before Obama was even sworn in.
Sorry dude, revisionist history is just that, revisionist.
When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who serves all the people or a Corporate Boss who likes to fire them.

sneekysneaky

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.

Obama is the candidate with failed economic policies. All he has done for 4 years is spend &amp; borrow yet not improve the american economy. Future generations will be paying for his mismanagement.

Arborcomment

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:44 p.m.

Interesting omission of history. Reagan faced 10% unemployment, 14% inflation, and interest rates of almost 20%. By his re-election, we started the largest sustained peacetime prosperity in US history. So much for a &quot;failed economic policy&quot;.

Chase Ingersoll

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.

&quot;.. And Romney not only opposed using government money for that purpose, he predicted the demise of the U.S. auto industry if it happened....&quot; - AnnArbor.com Editorial Board
So now we know the Ann Arbor . com editorial board regurgitates DNC propaganda and flat out falsehoods rather than read the editorial that Romney wrote in the NY Times where he stated that if necessary the federal government should guarantee private loans.
This is just one way that this editorial insults the intelligence of its readers. I suspect that many of your small business advertisers will let you know the same.

Tano

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.

Chase,
Sorry to have to tell you this, but the editorial is correct on the facts. Your comment is essentially calling it an insult to tell you things you seem not to know.
Romney did write that the government could consider post-bankruptcy loans. The editorial did not contradict that. Loans, however, are not &quot;the bailout&quot;. The problem was that GM did not have financing to get them through the bankruptcy period - that is what the government &quot;bailout&quot; was focused on providing, and that is what Romney was opposed to. And that is what the editorial was referring to, and they are right. The quote, which you can easily find through Google, is from a live interview with Romney on CBS - &quot;There's no question but that if you just write a check that you're going to see these companies go out of business ultimately.&quot;
This was, btw, when George Bush was president, and it was Bush who cut the first check to GM.
You need to get your facts straight before you start ranting against people.

Don't kid us Chase, we know you vote straight Republican. And a suggested boycott of aadotcom by it's small business advertisers? Please.

MichU

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.

It's going to be a close election. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise, even here in Michigan. Be sure to VOTE!!!!

Eve Aronoff

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.

Why do people like to complain SO MUCH? It's fair to agree or disagree, but wish ppl were just a little more open minded and/or constructive. AA.com Thank you for taking what you do seriously and doing it with conviction and providing a great service. It must make it hard if you feel constantly unappreciated by the people you are trying to serve, so thank you for persevering

David Paris

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:02 a.m.

It's simple Eve, Conservatives are by definition, Not Open-minded.

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:10 p.m.

A conservate news outlet endorsing a center of the road President. The far right screamers are out in force today.

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:28 p.m.

Geeze.....this is a suprise. He added 6 trillion dollars to the national debt, left our ambassador and three soildiers to die in Libya while they begged for help, was not open and transparent as he promised, did not pass one budget in his entire presidency, has caused the price of gas to double due to moratoriums on drilling and devaluing our currency by excessive stimulus, is sympathetic to hostile nations and unfriendly to our allies, has increased regulation on society and business costing us millions from our paychecks, has made it easier that ever to get food stamps and social security disability, did not pass a comprehensive immmigrations bill, covered up fast and furious, hired an attorney general who did not prosecute voter intimidation caught on tape, told the Russian ambasador he'll have &quot;more flexibility&quot; once he's re-elected, is gutting Medicare and using the funds for Medicaid while the price of healthcare skyrockets, robbed the bondholders and pandered to the unions while &quot;saving&quot; GM, handed out stimulus money to unions like holloween candy, gave out waivers on the health care plan to all of his cohorts........but he did kill Bin Laden so I guess he deserves four more years. Wonder what he'll do next?

President Obama was born in Hawaii after Hawaii had become the 50th state.
For those who don't want to believe that, there's something else that you are ignoring.
President Obama was born to a woman who was a citizen of the United States. That alone would have made him a citizen. he is at least a second generation American and it's possible he is a third or fourth generation American. Claims doubting his citizenship are racist.

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.

I think Donald Trump has already been dope-slapped over that.

G. Orwell

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.

Obama should show his first. Not the Photoshopped versions.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

and 10 years of his tax returns

maria

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.

Maria
As a &quot;legal&quot; immigrant from a 3rd world country and well travelled around Europe, I try hard but I can't understand why people would vote for OBAMA! I had seen all in my life time;lived in poverty back in my country,social medicine,etc I could make a list long of why to REJECT OBAMA's ideas.
America is the best place in the WOLRD to live,but in the last 4 years of these administration I have seen so many old traits that happens where I came from and wanted so badly scape from. Here is the land of free! You can go from poor to rich,you can succeed.... That is not what happen when you are born in 3rd world countries or Europe.
I wish people can wake up and see this is the chance we have to change the course of our history... That is why I am voting for ROMNEY!

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 7:09 p.m.

You're apparently a woman, but you're voting for a party that favors forcing women to have invasive medical procedures when their doctors don't require them, that will force you to carry a baby produced by rape to term but will deny you the right to try to become pregnant via in vitro fertilization, that would deny you the right to contraception paid for by your insurer (which will continue to pay for Viagra for the guys) and that believes that babies resulting from rape are the will of God.
Clearly, you have given this a lot of thought.

Maria, if you're looking for Utopia, you've come to the wrong place, and Romney will make you wish you never came here!

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:36 p.m.

Worst fake internet identity ever.

maria

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:07 p.m.

RayA2
Voting Republican means that people will still have a chance to be the responsible for their own lives, if they work hard and believe in their dreams they will succeed,they will build their own future.Unlike voting democrat,the party of hand outs and dreamers that does not get anywhere because they are to worried about blaming others for their on fate. Is a wonderful thing to help others, I strongly believe in it but as soon as they can be on their on feet, let them fly and conquer. I wish the best for you and that maybe be you wise up and see that the world does not work so rosie. God bless USA!

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.

Maria, The world you speak of is exactly the world that the ruling class, of which mittwit is a card carrying member, want us here in the U.S. to live with. I have not had the opportunity to visit your country but I have been to other countries like Mexico City where the huge separation between the haves and have nots condemns hundreds of millions to subsistence living. You are obviously unaware of the growing divide in this country between the wealthiest and everyone else. Perhaps you do not notice it because you are used to seeing worse. In this country we are used to seeing better. Voting republicon is voting to go towards the very poverty you describe.

RayA2
All that I can tell you is that you are far away from reality.I would like to invite to live in my country - Brasil - people do not have a chance of change their lives because they do not think for themselves - the government thinks for them.Try to leave in a place where you work your rear end off to try to get out of poverty and you try and try but you never reach that point because there are no opportunities. The rich is richer, the poor always will poor and yet every for years you have candidates like OBAMA whom just make people more dependent on the government so they don't have to think; nanny state will do everything for them in the name of redistribute the wealth. Did you ever go to bed hungry? I did. Did you ever have someone dying because there were not a hospital bed? I did!
So is easy to be here in Ann Arbor and talk about distributing to the poor, come on people here can work and be someone without the government just handling benefits out for them. Out there in the real world is not so rosie. Yeah go ahead and vote for your guy and yet we all will suffer the consequences of his views. Again invitation is open to leave the security of your bubble and visit real world out there,maybe just maybe you will learn how to appreciate more what we have in here and not handle our country for whom just want o destroy it.

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.

You're right, a vote for mittwit would be a vote to change our country. It would be a vote to advance the transfer of wealth from the middle class and poor to the wealthiest 0.01%. It would be a vote for the birthright privelage of the wealthy. It would be a vote to force the middle class to accept environmental destruction and more sickness and death without health insurance. It would be a vote to give away (but pretend to sell) more public land and resources to line the pockets of the already super wealthy. It would be a vote to gut public education because it requires tax dollars to support and because knowledge threatens the ruling wealthy class. I don't want to live in the world mittwit is selling and you should not either.

G-Man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.

You people are something. The man has almost single handedly ruined the Country and you want to make sure to keep him around to finish the demolition?
Yah, keep blaming Bush, that's your answer. Grow up and take credit for the Trillions of Dollars wasted!!! You care nothing for your children and grand-children? You cannot see the transformation to Europe style Socialism that BHO and cronies are heading us for?
Romney certainly was and is not against the auto companies. He and others wanted the poorly managed companies to go through proper bankruptcy to deal with their debt and then they would come out stronger on their own, not at the taxpayer's expense as the give-a-way bail out, billions of dollars has done. Ford is the only auto company that seems to know what they are doing. Since when do we need Government to run private businesses?
Continue to pray that Gov Romney is duly elected to stop this madness. We need a real leader that won't bow down to the foreign governments. We need someone to lead from the front. We need a leader who won't let our Americans be murdered when it could be prevented, and then spread falsehoods about some stupid video.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.

G-man: Rubbish. Really, &quot;single handedly ruined the Country&quot;? The President is not a king or dictator. What's socialist about Obama? That he wants the tax rates back at the levels under Clinton? Or that he wants them at levels lower than Reagan?
You are arguing like a partisan. If you think Romney could prevent deaths of Americans abroad then you are beyond help. Romney's chicken hawk nature will get us into another war or two (Iran +/- Syria) - another couple trillion dollars in debt. No thanks.

Terry Star21

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:59 p.m.

Great ! Good job !

taxpayer united

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7 p.m.

Thank You, Right On. Well said. They all must be blind and not very smart.

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.

Now if we pray for Romney do we have to direct our prayers toward the planet Kolob?

A2 Sense 1959

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.

Thank you!

superhappyfunbrett

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.

I base my voting upon snarky comments on internet news sites. :-)

Robert Tulloch

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.

Is the pope a catholic?

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.

Last I heard, yes, he is. Next question?

NicholeGilbert

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.

Awesome!

Classof2014

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.

I wish I could vote! If i could I would vote for obama, he needs all the help he can get..this is a tight race!

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.

@ maria...people like you. Are you sure you aren't Ann Romney....because....we've given you people all the tax returns you need to see!

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:28 p.m.

maria: &quot;people like you&quot;...
I'm shaking my head at that. You're maybe talking to a kid, right? A kid who is showing interest in their country. People like me, who are Americans, have divergent opinions and we all get along. Angry people aren't fun to be around and don't make convincing arguments. They just get angrier and angrier. Is that a person you want to be?

Soccer Mom

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.

@Classof2014...It's great that you are excited about the election! @Maria...quit bashing kids!

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.

&quot;in ten years you will be glad you didn't!&quot;
Listen the the voice of experience of a Bush voter.

maria

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.

Really?? I am glad you can't vote(at least I really hope not).Because of people like you that we are is this mess!

bunnyabbot

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.

in ten years you will be glad you didn't!

sneekysneaky

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.

This is why the 4th Estate should not give their opinion in elections. There are the mindless followers that will vote because that is what you decided. You should offer facts for both sides, nothing else and let those who vote decide. Get out of swaying votes a report on the news!

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.

Seriously, you need to grasp this fact: Newspapers always endorse candidates at all levels of government. Try to understand that.
Do you think your beloved Fox isn't endorsing anyone? They endorsed Romney before he was even the nominee and have never offered facts for both sides.

David Paris

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:54 a.m.

Most News sources endorse candidates, why are people acting like AA.com is out of line?

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.

In this country we still have freedom of the press. Elect Rmoney and we'll see how long that lasts.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:30 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who got us out of one war and getting us out of another or one who rattles the saber and is itching to be a war president and get us into one with Iran.

Arborcomment

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:45 a.m.

Why thanks General Plank, glad you know your strategy. I'll be much more comfortable on my third time there starting just after Thanksgiving.
And now you'll tell me that the Afghanistan &quot;sort of surge&quot; Obama finally got around deciding to do, just happened to have a withdrawal date just prior to the 2012 election.
And that keeping troops in Iraq until the exact date signed by Bush in 2007 was Obama's plan all along...

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.

Don't be naive. As if the Taliban didn't already know. As if it makes a diff to them, like it does to you.
Bush dithered in Afghanistan while he and Cheeney spent trillions on a useless was in Iraq.
When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who serves all the people or a Boss who likes firing them.

Arborcomment

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:21 p.m.

When you vote, remember that as a candidate, Obama promised to &quot;meet with the Generals and get us out of Iraq&quot;. Then turned around and followed the same schedule for withdrawal signed by Bush in 2007. You can also ponder what strategic wisdom or purpose was served by publicly announcing a time schedule for withdrawal from Afghanistan - to the Taliban.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.

I find the endorsement shocking! NOT.
The funniest part of the endorsement is the writer stated : Obama has come around to support same-sex marriage while Romney has not.
&quot;come around?&quot; Obama did it for the votes. Romney will stand firm on it because of conviction. As will MANY Amercians.

Erik Gable

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:08 p.m.

True ... but then, many Americans stood form for segregation and anti-miscegenation laws too. It didn't make them right.

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.

Yep, Thurston Howell Romney III is well known for his &quot;conviction&quot; on both sides of many issues. Get real.

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:13 p.m.

There is nothing Mittwit has said, outside of more tax cuts for the wealthy, that he hasn't flip-flopped later on. How can you possibly suggets even for a second that this man knows what conviction is?

Tom Todd

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.

so if Romney wins can we expect another war, by march possibly with Iran or China?

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:32 p.m.

March? By mid February at the latest....Iran here we come...or possibly Russia according to Romney...

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:01 a.m.

In some of his flip flops, Romney said we need to send troops to Iran. He also said we shouldn't pull out of Afghanistan by the end of 2013. Then at the foreign affairs debate with President Obama, he agreed with the President's plan to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2013. Romney wants to spend more money on defense, even 2 billion dollars more than the Pentagon wants.

Susie Q

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:47 a.m.

or Syria

Goober

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.

Yes....a free phone in 2013!

Tesla

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6 p.m.

Not China. Mitt has too many investments in China.

A2 Sense 1959

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.

If Obama wins can expect a free phone?

sneekysneaky

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.

Where did Romney say he would favor more wars?? Oh,, I remember, it was Obama telling everyone that!

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.

In other words, the sky is still blue.
But the tepid opening words of this endorsement are why Romney still has a small chance of winning, even though he's about as inspiring as the Michigan offense without Denard Robinson.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.

No, it's more a comment on the leadership at this blog, which is quite obviously blue.

northside

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.

OK, fair enough. You're not screaming on this one; that was more intended for others here who are.
But your &quot;sky is still blue&quot; comment meant that an Ann Arbor paper endorsing a Dem is no surprise. The problem is that it is, as such a thing hasn't happened in at least 16 years.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.

I'm not screaming anything. But nice try at a straw man.

northside

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.

Macabre, bad news for you and other conservatives screaming 'liberal media' in response to this endorsement. The Ann Arbor News endorsed Bush in 2000 and 2004 and no one in 2008. So you'd have to go back 16 years ago to find Ann Arbor's main paper endorsing a Dem, perhaps even longer - I don't know who was endorsed in '96.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself how's Europe doing under their economic austerity &quot;recovery&quot; plans and then realize that Rmoney has the same plans for our nation's economy.

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.

Z-Man, you republicons can sure twist the statistics. I guess all those hours of Faux News teaches you that facts are there to be manipulated. I'd like to see the source of your numbers, knowing already they come from some right wing propaganda outlet. Lets just say for the sake of argument that you are correct. The huge transfer of wealth and income from the middle class to the super rich would completely explain why the super rich ended up paying more in taxes. How can you possibly suggest that the W taxcuts benefited the working class? They overwhelmingly were for owners of capital, who are mostly the superrich. Are you suggesting that this money somehow trickled down because there are no statistics that will back you up on that.

Z-man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.

Ray, are you aware that, after the Bush tax cuts to ALL taxpayers, the wealthy ended up paying a higher percentage of all income taxes than before the tax cut? Are you aware that the total amount of taxes paid went up significantly thanks to an economy stimulated by the tax cuts? Are you aware of the fact that when capital gains taxes were reduced by Bush, the capital gains taxes collected by the IRS increased?

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.

Where were these pseudo-debt hawks when their man W was giving away the farm to the very wealthy through his tax breaks, or when he was spending us into oblivion through his leveraged war on a sovereign country without provocation? Their sand castle virtues make me sick.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.

Many European countries have spent their money, their children's money, and their grandchildren's money, and now they're trying to spend Germany's money.
What you call austerity, from a GDP perspective, is simply maintaining smaller spending increases. But a higher percentage of the GDP is going to retire the debt their parents accumulated, so it involves less new spending.
They could try and spend more of Germany's money - the Germans certainly are generous. That would make them feel better, but it wouldn't solve the problem.
At some point we have to pay for this deficit - which has risen almost 50% - to $16 trillion - since Obama took office. The Republicans are being silly in that they don't seem to understand that the Bush tax cuts will go away. The Democrats are being irresponsible in not recognizing that entitlement spending - now almost two-thirds of the entire budget - is at a completely unsustainable level.
France is trying to do what you recommend, and has imposed a 75% tax on the wealthy to pay for all the entitlements. We'll see how that goes.

G. Orwell

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.

So does Obama through tax increases to be paid to banks.

Tom Wieder

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.

A well-presented, reasonable argument, from a Michigan and Washtenaw perspective, for the re-election of Barack Obama. No, I don't think it, or other newspaper endorsements, have any significant weight in voter decisions for President. For those who think that this is business-as-usual, that A2.com is some liberal bastion that always endorses Democrats, you are simply wrong. In 2008, in its previous form, as The Ann Arbor News, owned by the same company, it said it just couldn't find any reasons to endorse one candidate over the other. In 2004, The News endorsed Bush over Kerry. In 2000, it endorsed Bush over Gore. I don't remember what they did in prior years, but you get the idea. First endorsement of a Democrat for President in a very long time.

Macabre Sunset

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4 p.m.

Is there anything left of The Ann Arbor News? You can't keep track of the staff these days without a scorecard - an editor's half-life is shorter than that of a running back in the NFL.

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.

Right, Did anyone thing that AA wouldn't endorse the liberal?

northside

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.

@ Michael: As others have pointed out, Ann Arbor's main paper did not endorse the Democratic candidate in the three previous elections. The Ann Arbor News endorsed Bush in 2000 and 2004 and no one in 2008.
In other words, the premise of your question is completely wrong.

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:52 p.m.

That wasn't my question, was it.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.

Please tell me Michael, when was the last time this paper did endorse a Democratic Presidential candidate?

hairman

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.

13 TRILLION $$$$$ IN DEBT. BEGGING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR FOOD STAMPS. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???????????

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.

Wow! I had no idea so many AA.com readers spent most of their days glued to Fox to get their Republic talking points! &quot;BEGGING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP FOR FOOD STAMPS!&quot; he hollered. These comments would be hilarious if they weren't so tragically ignorant.

Frank Lee

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.

@ llspier - What I'm trying to convey is, the statement &quot;Obama has added more debt to the backs of taxpayers than all previous presidents COMBINED&quot; is false. Period. That is fact, not misinformation. I'm sorry you got all excited, read into it as far as you did, and posted a link to a CBS article comparing national debt under two presidents.

llspier

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.

Well, Frank Lee. when it comes to misinformation, it looks like you're the one who's trying to sell us the Brooklyn Bridge. Consider what you're trying to convey here: although this would be clear to anyone with the mathematical sense of a fourth-grader, you are trying to sell the package that 3 years of debt not exceeding 8 years of debt is a reduction in debt. A careful reading of the link you provided shows that clearly. That however was the status of the debt in January, 2009-when Obama spending hadn't quite reached Bush spending. . By March, 2009, the debt under Obama's 'leadership' had exceeded debt accumulated on Bush's 8 years. This can hardly be considered a reduction. Obama has managed to exceed all eight years of Bush's debt in 3 yrs, 2 months . . and it continues to climb. The next thing you'll be trying to tell us is that the country's credit rating was downgraded because we didn't approve even more debt quickly enough! Check those numbers here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57400369-503544/national-debt-has-increased-more-under-obama-than-under-bush/

Frank Lee

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.

@ Skyjockey43 – You are the epitome of MISINFOMED! Anyone with the smallest concept of numbers should know that the statement &quot;Obama has added more debt to the backs of taxpayers than all previous presidents COMBINED&quot; is absurd! In fact: as of Jan. 31, 2012, the rise under Obama had yet to surpass the rise under his predecessor, George W. Bush. Sure that was 9 months ago, but &quot;all previous presidents COMBINED&quot;…Please. Seeing people regurgitate this misinformation is sickening! The following article would be a good read:
http://factcheck.org/2012/02/dueling-debt-deceptions/

Rick Stevens

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.

$10 trillion belonged to Bush. NO NEED TO SHOUT ALL THE TIME , YOU'RE STILL WRONG.

sh1

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.

So curious what your news source is.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:13 p.m.

8 TRILLION OF THAT DEBT WAS THERE EVEN BEFORE OBAMA WAS SWORN IN!
AND DON&quot;T FORGET THE TRILLIONS FOR TWO BUSH/CHENEY WARS THAT WERE OFF THE BUDGET BOOK AND PUT ON THE NATIONAL CRDIT CARD!

Skyjockey43

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.

Actually it's 16 trillion, which correlates to $55,000 for every man, woman, and child in this country. Obama has added more debt to the backs of taxpayers than all previous presidents COMBINED. And what do we have to show for it?

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.

I am no fan of either one of those guys. At this late date I don't know who i will vote for.
But in fairness to Romney with respect to the car companies he called for a chapter 11 bankruptcy from which they would reemerge instead of a &quot;bailout&quot;. Obama gave them a bailout which only delayed by a few months the Chapter 11 bankruptcy's they both filed . So the ultimate fate was the same... Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Kyle Mattson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:05 a.m.

Craig- I have a feeling there are a surprising number of people in the same boat as you this year in deciding a candidate. Personally, I know I wish that there could have been another round or two of debates to get a little bit more side by side comparison of the two.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.

Craig: Thanks for a rational post - I was starting to wonder about this place.
The banks were too big to fail and the U.S. auto industry was the same. I was for the &quot;bailout&quot; or whatever anyone wants to call it now. Not because it was ideal or a great idea, but because it was the only sane way forward. To gamble with losing GM and Chrysler, their auto suppliers (which would have eventually doomed Ford too), and the military companies that also depend on those suppliers is foolhardy. What was spent to save them is a pittance compared to what was given to the banks and a tiny fraction of what we spent on defense and the wars.
Honestly, I believe that whatever Romney said (and whatever he is saying now) that he would have done the exact same thing that happened because that was the best way forward. Taking a chance with millions more unemployed during the Great Recession would have easily pushed us into a second Great Depression and we'd really get a taste of what Spain and Greece are going through...

katmando

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.

no there is a big difference Romney would not have supported lending them money. If the government had not stepped in it would have been a chapter 13 bankruptcy and they would have been liquidated and all those that they owed money to would have gone out of business as well which would have dragged down Ford as well.

Tano

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.

Sorry Craig, but you are just wrong about this. It is true that hundreds of companies go through Chapter 11 and do not receive government money. This was a highly extraordinary situation. A huge company, huge debts, and all this taking place in the midst of a total financial meltdown.
In normal times, there probably would have been private money available to sustain GM through the bankruptcy process. But there was none at that time - and so the choice was very clear - either the government step in, or the companies would have to be liquidated. People forget that President Bush was the one who first faced this situation, just before he left office, and he decided to support the companies, and actually cut the first check. Romney, however, opposed what both Bush and Obama did.
Heck, even the very conservative Detroit News, in the process of endorsing Romney, acknowledge that he was very wrong on the bailout question. I respectfully suggest you research this issue a bit more.

Craig Lounsbury

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.

Tano,
they had money . The idea with &quot;pay your bills&quot; is your bills are eliminated. Hundreds of major companies go through Chapter 11 without a government bailout in advance. Every major airline in America has done as much. So I'm not wrong, rather your basing your opinion on your agenda and what you suggest is an opinion NOT a fact. There are hundreds of chapter 11 results to back my contention. Liquidation as you suggest would be chapter 7. Your assumptions are based on your agenda.

Hot Sam

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.

@Tano...pure speculation...

Tano

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:40 p.m.

Craig's conclusion is profoundly wrong. The &quot;ultimate fate&quot; in question was not Chapter 11 or something else - it was survival vs. liquidation. Both paths would pass through Chapter 11 - the issue was this: would the companies emerge from Chapter 11 or would they be shut down.
In order to survive, they needed money to pay their bills during the bankruptcy period. The normal way that companies in Chapter 11 can do this is through the private financial markets. But there absolutely was no private money available at that time that would be willing to invest in those companies (not even Bain Capital would bite). If you recall, we were in the midst of a massive financial meltdown at the time.
Either there would be a governmental investment - a &quot;bailout&quot; or the companies would have been liquidated. Everyone understood that at the time, and everyone understands that now, unless they are working a political angle. Obama supported and implemented a &quot;bailout&quot;. Romney was opposed. If he were President, those companies would no longer exist.

Goober

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.

Try Pat Paulsen. Or Ralph Nader.

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.

That is precisely correct. Obama put GM through bankruptcy himself. The difference was he handed the car company ownership over to the unions, when the unions are the ones that led to their noncompetitive condition to start with.

G. Orwell

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.

Ann Arbor News endorsed Gerorge Bush in 2004. Yet another disaster of a president. So,it appears AA News supports the status quo and the establishment. It makes sense since Obama = Bush. Policies are the same but with a socialist tone. Romney is no different. We need more and better candidates. AA News should refrain from endorsing candidates. You are losing more credibility.

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.

&quot;but with a socialist tone.&quot; HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! If you think Obama is a socialist, you need to repeat your history classes.
Just another repeater of Fox and Republic Party talking points without a crumb of understanding.

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.

Bush wasn't just another disaster - he was an exquisite disaster. Thanks again, Bush voters.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President believes in science and education or the one whose party thinks science is bunk and education is only for those who can afford it.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.

Right on! Obama 2012!

ManA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.

Could the Editorial Staff please post their Presidential endorsements going back as far as they can retrieve them? I think it would be useful to see this pick in the context of their past choices. A simple list of your choices by year would be sufficient.

Tom Wieder

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.

See my longer comment, below. In 2000 and 2004, The Ann Arbor News endorsed Bush over Gore and Kerry, respectively. In 2008, it said it just couldn't find reasons to endorse one over the other. Perhaps, the A2.com staff can dig up earlier history. For most of its history, The News was a staunchly Republican paper. That's changed in recent decades. but it has rarely endorsed a Democrat for President.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.

I second the request. As long as I've lived here (since 2000), this is the first Democratic POTUS endorsement I have seen, and am having a hard time finding records online of endorsements 1996 and before.

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.

That's easy, just look for the &quot;D&quot; next to the candidates name!

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who thinks women's reproductive rights and health are a question between her, her doctor and her God or one whose party who thinks that women are chattel and their wombs are property of the State.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.

What happened to separation of church and state. We've already heard little Paulie Munster say that he can't separate his faith from government. Get ready for Sharia law if these stooges cheat their way into the white house!

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:17 p.m.

Apparently not, Brad. I added &quot;God&quot; because Republicans are usually the first to invoke that mythical spirit.

Brad

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.

Can't we just have a candidate that thinks it is between just her and her doctor with no supernatural beings at all?

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.

The country is disintegrating financially right before our eyes and this is what we talk about? No wonder we're in such a financial mess..............Romney has made the lives of many women better. Just because he has religious beliefs that differ from yours you regect him. This is the lie that liberals state when they say they accept anyone. They mean as long as they agree with them............

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.

I didn't talk about rape. In that case, capital punishment should be carried out to the attacker and his sperm product (the sperm product at the choice of the victim.)

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.

I'm glad that you think so highly of your opinion and religious beliefs that you feel compelled to impose them on women and others who do not share your beliefs.
Tell that to the women who become pregnant from a &quot;legitimate&quot; rape and are forced to carry the fetus of their attacker to its birth.

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.

I think that murder isn't something we should put in a dark hushed room, I think murder is something we should aggressively prosecute.

joe.blow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

Yes, and murder should be between the victim and the murderer.

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.

This election isn't going to be close. Romney will win in a blowout. Nobody in polite society will admit to a pollster that this affirmative action President is a complete failure and that they will vote against him. Conformist unthinking endorsements like this editorial have forced people to hold their thoughts to themselves. America's true opinion won't be heard until the levers are pulled and the votes are counted.

bobslowson

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.

Anyone that insists on using Hussein repeatedly is not doing so just for fun. We all know how you really feel about the President...

Mike

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.

Racism? Oh dear, that just throws me back on my heels. It's not racist to say that people voted for Barack Hussein Obama because it would be a helpful symbolic gesture. It's not racist to say he was unequal to the task. He is simply a failed affirmative action candidate.
More importantly, it should be said that he is from a different cultural tradition. This point has been made in a recently successful documentary. Obama is a foreigner culturally. He is outside of the American culture and tradition. He does not root for us. He is not of the body.
It is not racist to believe, defend and adhere to American culture and tradition.

If nobody in polite society will admit anonymously to a pollster that Obama is a complete failure, where does that put you?

Kai Petainen

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.

fascinating... the town with SPARK/Snyder and all those political connections.... the newspaper goes for the opposing party.

Dog Guy

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.

In Ann Arbor, strange bedfellows make politics. If the deciding factor is which guy you would like to drink a beer with or smoke some dope with, Romney loses either way. Obama bailed out the UAW and GM, so let's all drive our imports to the polls to vote for him.

Basic Bob

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.

You would think that folks that support unions would refuse to buy a non-union Toyota or Honda. Strange times we live in.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:04 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who puts women in his cabinet and the Supreme Courts or one who keeps them in binders.

MichU

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.

Well said.

Goober

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.

A cabinet with a lock on it.
Ask to see the wages of the women in cabinet positions vs. the men in cabinet positions.

joe.blow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.

Please see Obama's first two years and the female cabinet comments. Guess he wasn't so nice to women when an election wasn't coming up.

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

What good did it do to put women in cabinet positions if Obama has never met with his cabinet?

Goober

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.

Yes, we are truly a one party town.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.

Such a one party town that our newspaper has now officially endorsed a Democrat for POTUS one time out of the last four elections. Yup. Can't deny proof like that.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself of you want a President who believes in people or one who believes in the Almighty Dollar.

Newmarket

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.

Please outline what one can do with the almighty dollar and what one can do without the almighty dollar.
The obamas grew up in the middle class and not poor by any means. They will be wealthy when the presidency is over. Have you hears the expression &quot;Feeding at the government trough?&quot;

bunnyabbot

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.

THey both believe in the Dollar, O thinks the money belongs to the gov't (and they've printed so much of it!) Romney believes in the Dollar to stay in and grow the private sector.

G. Orwell

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.

Ann Arbor News endorsed Gerorge Bush in 2004. Yet another disaster of a president. So,it appears AA News supports the status quo and the establishment. It makes sense since Obama = Bush. Policies are the same but with a socialist tone. Romney is no different. We need more and better candidates. AA News should refrain from endorsing candidates. You are losing more credibility.

Newmarket

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:43 p.m.

Libya? The Economy? The I'm Sorry foreign country tour of 2008? Job Numbers?, Fast and Furious? Ft. Hood not a terrorist act? Bankruptcy of 29 of Obamas Green Energy Companies? HHS mandate and the broken promises that went with that debacle? I don't trust Obama to guide our country anymore. Mitt Romney all the way.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.

Mitt Romney all the way....Yes, all the way back to his NH beach home...

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:52 a.m.

Wow, the misunderstandings (and worse) of some posters.
President Obama did go to Israel. He went before he took office and he visited the holocaust museum and didn't act for media coverage. President Obama brought back leadership. Since the economy was bottoming when he took office, count job performance from the point at which the old losses bottomed out in late 2009. We have added 5 million private sector jobs. During the past few years, unfortunately, some public sector jobs such as police officers and teachers have declined under state leadership in many places. Bills presented to Congress that would have meant jobs to rebuild crumbling bridges were voted down by a House of Representatives with a Republican mantra of bringing down Obama even if it meant some citizens in the naysayer members of Congress got hurt or had to lose the use of a bridge or road. The areas where southwest Ohio, northwest Kentucky, and Indiana converge is one area that lost urgently needed infrastructure funds and good construction jobs.
And for those who want to deny health insurance for people because of preexisting conditions, such as a prior C-section, how do you justify requiring that woman, if raped, to have to get a subsequent C-section that could endanger her health and for which she doesn't have insurance.
Also, Fast and Furious was developed when George W. Bush was President.
President Obama is not a CEO. He doesn't own companies. Solyndra (or however it's spelled) was reviewed during the Bush administration. We need to develop renewable energy sources and there will be successes where Solyndra failed.
Anyone who has a pre-existing condition or has a friend or family with a pre-existing condition, anyone who wants fairness for the middle class and middle class jobs, anyone who believes that women are capable human beings who can make their own health care decisions should run away from Republicans until they change the party platform.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:04 a.m.

Good call Mary !

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:21 p.m.

Despite how many times they are repeated, lies do not suddenly become truth.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.

MM: The downgrade was caused by a lack of faith in Congress. I don't have faith in them either - do you?

Michigan Man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.

Mary Ellen - Your list is quite good. You must have run out of time - I could add dozens more debacles to your fine list. How about the S%P downgrade during the Obama misery era? How about no Presidential visits to Israel? How about his comments relative to Skip Gates and Trevon Martin? How about this confusion over managing the gulf oil spill? How about two years of complete control of our government -white house, senate and house and no accomplishments to write home about. How about no budget in three (3) years of his leadership failures? How about dramatic increases in poverty levels for many fine Americans. How about his personal failure to be a cheerful and charitable giver to the poor,needy and marginalized - lousy record of giving compared to Mr. and Mrs. Romney. I will stop now and let others take over.

Newmarket

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.

Libya, it was an attack on our Embassy while our marines were told to &quot;stand down&quot; and let it happen? Fast and Furious was initiated in Sept. 2009 by Phoenix ATF. Allah Akbar is shouted and then all those people were killed, that's a terrorist attack . Stimulus money given to green and biofuel companies and 29 are now bankrupt and out of business. There went $80million. Obama told all of the Middle East that the US is &quot;fundamentally flawed&quot; and he will save the day for them. Job numbers were slightly down for Sept. but the overall outlook is still very dismal and these numbers can't be considered successful. Besides, Obama pledged to lower this rate and if he didn't he shld be a one term president. HHS prognosis isn't going to be successful, but only a deterrent for our economy. There are other more practical and efficient ways to deliver healthcare to people who are in need.
P.S. I watch CNN, the regular new channels for the 6:30 pm broadcasts and I read lots of newspapers, blogs, etc. I actually came up with this stuff pretty much on my own - go figure.

Superior Twp voter

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.

Well said, Ms. O'Keefe.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:38 p.m.

Fast and Furious? Yeah, bad idea. Probably should have been stopped with the change in administration. Better yet, shouldn't have been started with the last administration. Not that it would have likely made one iota of difference in the cartels' ability to obtain arms (if Gonzales had not started this program, and Holder not kept it going, do you thing the cartels would have found themselves without any guns), but it doesn't seem to have done any good either.
Ft. Hood? A tragic and terrible event. Terrorism? Sounds like you're searching for words to politicize a terrible event. Call it that if you want, or call it murder, but the only people this helps will be the campaigners.
Bankruptcy of Obama's Green Companies? I wasn't aware he started any. In any case, you should look beyond the campaign phone calls and fliers, and you'll see that the facts in those claims pan out about as well as panning for gold in the Huron river.
HHS mandate? Yeah, I would have greatly preferred going straight to a single payer system myself, but Obama just had to go and compromise with the other half of the country and meet in the middle (well actually the right side of middle). Oh well, we'll wake up and move to a more sensible system eventually.
I'm sure if McCain had taken office we would have seen four years of Utopia with nothing for you to complain about today.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.

Libya? So Gaddafi, one of the biggest enemies and supporters of terrorism is gone, but because of a singular loyalist retribution attack which unfortunately cost American lives, the whole change represents a failure. Okay.
The economy? We were heading down a steep cliff at 100mph in 2008. We managed to slow it down somehow miraculously stop it before hitting bottom, and have now made it back to where we were when the last fool jumped out of the driver's seat on the way down. It's a little slower coming back up, but we've stopped a mess and made it back out and are now heading the other way. This is a failure too? Alrighty.
The I'm sorry tour? Huh? When did this happen? Well the answer is of course that it didn't, but there are some so bent on us maintaining our image of a screaming, frothing at the mouth, bully global dictator, that once someone starts to use intelligent diplomacy, talk quietly and listen, make clear that we're not out to take over the world, that we can reduce a lot more threat this way than by simply bombing everyone who hates us. You'll have to work on that.
Job numbers? Well, they're not where they would have been had we not handed over the reigns to the economy over the last two decades, but like the economy they're moving in the right direction again. Oh, or are you one of those folks who believe Obama's artificially manipulating those numbers? Oh my.... Moving on then -

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.

Even though all of them are so twisted and inflated with partisan rumor and innuendo, thanks for repeating Fox News and Republican Party talking points

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.

When you vote ask yourself if you want a President who laid out 10 years of personal income taxes or one who seems to be hiding something in his tax returns.

Goober

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.

If you write in a candidate, vote for this person, no one else will ever know unless you tell. Your write-in candidate stands no chance of winning.
It's like standing on a street corner, wearing a dark suit................
Unfortunately, our process is voting for the lesser of various evils!

vivian

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 11:19 a.m.

I wouldn't go there if I were you. Whatever one's political stance, one can hardly fail to notice whose school records, among a number other similar things, are sealed. Does it matter? Maybe not--no one can say for sure. But you should really look at both candidates before you start throwing around terms like 'seems to be hiding something.'
Yes, Paula, in response to a question you posed earlier, some voters are considering write-in candidates. We need more options.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:11 p.m.

G-Man: At least they were American cronies...

G-Man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.

Did Obama report all the income he took from his Chicago Cronies?

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:36 p.m.

Congratulations on stepping away from the dark side. Must have been a tough move to convince the bosses at Advance to let you endorse Obama.
For all those readers who can't seem to remember anything past the last three Fox News stories and believe in things like liberal news conspiracies and faked moon landings, let's take a step back.
Who did Ann Arbor News endorse in 2000? Bush. Thanks guys. Brilliant.
Who did Ann Arbor News endorse in 2004? Believe it or not, Bush again. Fool you once, shame on him, fool you twice.....
Then comes 2008 when you'd think anyone with an IQ above room temperature could see where the Republican policies had left us, so you'd think the Ann Arbor News would be able to weak up and break the mold of stupid that had somehow been building up on their judgement, but no. They couldn't endorse another four years of republican leadership, but they couldn't quite make the jump to reason, so who did they endorse?
Nobody at all. That's right all you &quot;liberal media conspiracy&quot; commenters, this paper is just so liberal that they haven't been able to endorse a Democratic presidential candidate in at least the last 3 elections, even though they couldn't endorse a Republican in the last one either. Oh well, if they finally endorse a Democrat in 1 election after opposing them 3 in a row, I guess that vindicates you're liberal media conspiracy, like rolling a die 20 times until it finally lands on 6 once, then taking that as proof that it must be loaded to favor 6. Brilliant.
AA.com, thanks for endorsement someone this time. 2008 was simply a lame copout.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:01 p.m.

Thanks Paula, I've always wondered about how much autonomy AA.com operates with, or how much sway the parents at Advance had in you editorial process.
And just to clarify, my aim was mostly toward the &quot;of-course-this-liberal-paper-would-endorse-a-Democrat&quot; crowd, pointing out that this is the first time this century that this paper has endorsed a Democrat for POTUS.
I only moved here in 2000, but I'd be interested to see a list of prior presidential endorsements going back before then.

Paula Gardner

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:50 p.m.

One clarification on your comment - the endorsement was made in Ann Arbor. There was no corporate approval given/needed.

amlive

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.

I blame all obvious typos on autocorrect (the copy editor for my posts has Sundays off).

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who has tried to create American jobs instead of a bottom line business man who prefers to ship them out of the country to the lowest bidder.

G-Man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:13 p.m.

Yah, Government give a way jobs at taxpayer's expense

squidlover

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.

Romney isn't a perfect choice, but consider the following:
Domestic matters: President Obama's signature achievement is Obamacare. Simply put, there is no way to pay for this in a capitalist country of more than 300 million (especially with the current economical situation), not to mention how he got the votes to support it (remember the Louisiana purchase?). With the deficit skyrocketing and the economy crumbling, this country is on a path to end up like European countries that are in complete turmoil due to their economic collapses.
Foreign matters: I beg to differ that there is little to complain about considering the mishandling (and now cover-up) of the Libya attack.
Like the end of the editorial says, we'd like to see more bipartisan effort, but don't hold your breath.

Jake C

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.

&quot;Republicans want to defeat Obama because he's dangers for our country.&quot;
Republicans vowed not just to defeat Obama, but that their *number one priority* was to &quot;make sure Obama was a one-term president&quot;. Not creating jobs, not protecting Americans, not improving the Economy... just a personal vendetta against one man. Sad, sad, sad.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.

Mitch McConnell should be in JAIL for holding our country hostage to his tea party rhetoric!

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:09 p.m.

Actually squidlover, Obama's achievements on Domestic matters:
1. Fair pay act
2. Obamacare extended the life of Medicare by GAO estimates. It's repeal would likely shorten its life.
3. Ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will save trillions of dollars at home.
Has Obama been a resounding success? Hardly. Has Congress been a huge problem for him? Absolutely. Would Romney have a better chance? Hardly. The die has been cast - and intransigence will be met with the same if the Democrats are in the minority. So gridlock again and probably not Romney's fault either in that case.
I'm not for repeating that cycle or rewarding the foot-dragging and name-calling that has been coming from Congressional &quot;leaders&quot; who even had the gall to question Obama's birthplace or legitimacy. Nope. I can't side with their brand of crazy. I don't side with the other either, however, and will conveniently ignore the (R) or (D) next to the names of those running.

.. more bipartisan effort?
From October 25, 2010:
&quot;This morning, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was floored by McConnell's open admission that his single most important goal is to defeat Obama.&quot;
from http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/10/25/126242/mcconnell-obama-one-term/?mobile=nc
So McConnell has no concern for the economy, for unemployment, and for the deficit. No wonder Congress has a gridlock and President Obama has no way to break it.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who says a woman's reproductive health is her personal business or or the Republican party who thinks it's theirs.

Mitch

Tue, Oct 30, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.

There is more to the election then this one issue. I am going the other way because of $16 trillion in debt. 8.5+ unemployment, the ownership of the federal government in GM and an electric car that is being sold at a loss.

Gerry

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.

You mean to tell me that I shouldn't have the liberty to tell someone else what they can and cannot do with their own body? That is big government intrusion into my life. Everyone should have the liberty to choose to live their lives the way that I tell them to.

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:15 a.m.

Those who say Romney is pretending to be against abortion even in cases of rape and incest and the health of the mother (who could be 12, 20, 30, 40, or 50 (with the youngest and oldest ages facing the most risks of pregnancy) because of what he said years ago in Massachusetts have it backwards. Romney said what he had to in Massachusetts. He couldn't run for re-election in Massachusetts and the majority of voters in Massachusetts won't vote for Romney. To Romney, the ends (such as winning office) justify the means according to prominent Republicans as well as independents. Even a member of his campaign staff acknowledged Romney position changes.

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 3:12 a.m.

Yes, I want a President who doesn't interfere with women's health decisions. Those who try to bamboozle people by claiming that Romney is just pretending to be against abortion should look at the Republican Party platform. Abortion is outlawed, even in cases of rape, incest, and the health of the mother. Allowing an exception for the life of the mother isn't enough. Medical assessment is about probability, not certainty. A doctor who performed an abortion to save the woman's or young teenager's life could be charged with breaking the law if the patient lives. The professional group of obstetricians and gynecologists, which generally doesn't get involved in politics had to &quot;speak&quot; out against some of the assertions about women never being at risk during pregnancies.
Don't believe the assertions that Romney is really pro-choice . He's not and the Republican platform is severely against abortion even if a teenage girl is raped by a man with HIV. It is that extreme.
Don't take the legality of any abortion for granted. The U.S. is one judge away from likely having the 1973 law repealed if Romney chooses which judge would replace a judge that has retired or died. And Paul Ryan would be &quot;a heartbeat away&quot; from becoming the President.
For the health and safety of women today and our daughters and granddaughters, keeping women's health between a woman or girl and her doctor (or P.A. physician's assistant) is extremely important.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.

G. Orwell: I think it's funny how many people conveniently ignore Romney's position on abortion at that time. If they looked at the videos, he was not just pro-choice but vehemently so. His flip-flop is convenient at best. Etch-A-Sketch? Jello? Something amorphous without substance?
You're right about Obama too to an extent, he's more middle/right than he let's on - the people calling him &quot;socialist&quot; because he wants tax rates for the wealthy at levels lower than even Reagan had them are amusing to me.
What's that old joke? How can you tell a politician is lying? Their lips are moving...

bunnyabbot

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.

when you vote ask yourself, do you want a president who says what is yours is everyones or a president that says what is yours is yours to share if you want.

G. Orwell

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:50 p.m.

Romney was pro-choice when he was governor of MA. There isn't much difference between Obama and Romney. They are both fooling their bases. In other words, they are lying to you.

walker101

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:32 p.m.

Have to admit one of your funniest editorial's of the year. No substance, no counters, no issues with this administration. I guess we are all living in euphoria and we do not even know it. Thanks AA.com for making my day.

northside

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.

Did you even bother to read it? They cite numerous reasons for favoring Obama, as well as concerns about his performance and the next four years.

Paula Gardner

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.

Thanks for all of the comments so far. We've only had to delete one (for name-calling), which isn't bad for a political opinion piece.
We knew when we wrote this that, given polls that show the candidates are very close, many of our readers would disagree. And that many people would call the effort 'meaningless.' We appreciate you reading, and welcome you adding your own opinion to this mix.

Dwayne

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.

@Paula
It's not about being 'meaningless', it's about having objectivity and reporting the news. When you can do that successfully and with credibility, then put an endorsement in the editorial column. Where's the reporting on Benghazi?!
The problem is, this endorsement doesn't make you look bias, it confirms your bias.

Paula Gardner

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.

Sorry, joe.blow, but all of your comments from today are on the site. One was blocked yesterday. No lie!

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.

At least you make a reasonable attempt at justifying your decision using fact and sensibility.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.

one of the many reasons the paper had to move to online format...

northside

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:17 p.m.

The Tigers are on the brink of losing the World Series and annarbor.com has somehow managed to lift my spirits and make the morning very enjoyable. The reactions to this cautious and well-reasoned endorsement are hilarious. I'll keep them nearby just in case the Tigers bats go cold again tonight and I'm in need of a good chuckle.

joe.blow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.

You haven't posted one of my comments and I've made several. You lie.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.

When you vote, ask yourself if you want a President who serves all the people or a Boss who likes firing people.

Z-man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.

Yes, in context as Romney put it, if someone working for you is doing a terrible job, you should fire them. That's why we need to fire Barack Hussain Obama, although it usually seems like he's only working for the unions and not for us.

ummsw

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.

Yes...we are currently living with a CEO running the State of Michigan

PersonX

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.

The nasties got up early today and are all over this. There is no Romney, only a set of different Romneys for all occasions and each one of you has decided to go with one or more of them if he has hit the right button for you, but none of you might be happy with the unknown Romney who might turn up if he wins the election. No one knows why he is running for president since all his speeches assert that he wants to be a CEO who gives orders; it looks like for him the office--and the country--is just another acquisition. President Obama is not perfect, but he did a pretty good job considering what he inherited and an unconscionable opposition from the Republican congress that bordered on unpatriotic. I will remind you that health care was part of their official party platform four years ago and was supported by McCain. Suddenly, a few months later they were all against it, and on and on it went. I am glad for the endorsement, even though I am not sure that a blog like this should be involved in such matters ...

Pres. Obama surely is not perfect, and he is not a president for the US -- he spends more time golfing, hitting the television studios, and speaking untruths than any president I have seen. He definitely needs to go.

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.

Best comment so far...
For people who claim not to care about AA.com's endorsement, it is curious how many jumped at the opportunity to criticize it.

PersonX

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:12 p.m.

At work on Sunday morning? I am impressed!

Michigan Man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:36 p.m.

X - Us nasties are used to getting up early to go to work seeking the brass ring of inclusion in the 1% upper income crowd. My condolences you do not like big bank accounts.

ummsw

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.

Thank you @PersonX

Top Cat

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.

You wouldn't dare do otherwise.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:22 p.m.

Because it's the first time in over 16 years they've endorsed a democrat? Don't let facts get in the way...

joe.blow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:11 p.m.

Why is a newspaper endorsing any candidate? Isn't the job of a news source to report the news, not to create it?

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:58 p.m.

Are all you people too young to remember actual newspapers? Actual newspapers all across the country have endorsed political candidates in local, state and national races since they were founded. The choices are determined by the paper's editorial board.
@sneekysneaky, of COURSE it's meant to persuade you! Why else would they bother endorsing anyone?

sneekysneaky

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11 p.m.

When they take an editorial and display it on a front page it is designed to persuade the reader toward their position.

MichU

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.

It's called an &quot;Editorial.&quot; It's a long-standing tradition in American newspapers. The news is a different section of the paper. The editorial board is made up of the publisher and some of the editorial staff. These are two distinct areas. Look into it.

boo

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:09 p.m.

Unfortunately, Romney will win and we will be in a bigger mess than we are in now.

walktheplank

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.

If you want our economy to look like Europe, vote for Rmoney.

walker101

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.

Glad you at least admit we're in a mess.

Debra Adams

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who is the better candidate. All it takes is a compassionate, caring individual with their eyes open.

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:29 a.m.

The spin of the two printed replies could be assuming the opposite of the poster's point. AnnArbor.com endorsed the better candidate.

G-Man

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:16 p.m.

I agree, it's easy to see that in Gov Romney. Glad you're on board!

Mike

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.

You're right. I'm voting for Romney also.

Technojunkie

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.

Write in Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate. End the foreign wars, end the drug war, end federal meddling in social issues, bring the budget into balance immediately by cuts across the board including military spending. Bring the federal government into compliance with the Constitution.
Do you really want either Obama or Romney to win? Obama with his foolish Libya military adventure followed by letting our ambassador, two ex-SEALs and another American die and covering it up with the outrageous lie that a YouTube video no one had heard of caused a &quot;spontaneous&quot; complex heavy weapons attack? Or Romney who promises to be merely less bad than Obama?

DonBee

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.

Technojunkie -
You have a couple of additional choices on the ballot for President. There are 3 additional candidates on the ballot. I am sorry to see that Gary Johnson did not make the ballot.
We need to re-think the 2 party system we have - maybe a California style primary with the top 2 making the final ballot.

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.

Kyle would love a write in candidate, so let's help him. All liberals should write in Hillary Clinton!

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.

... that is a promise Romney can not keep if he is elected President. And we will all come to bemoan the choice that was made.

Kyle Mattson

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.

Is anyone else here considering writing in a candidate?

AAW

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:54 p.m.

Wow... I am so shocked at the comments (and pleased)....A2.com support is not a shock. I have vote and don't care who supports anyone. I choose after researching anyone or thing that I vote for.

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.

You are being very responsible and should be able to state established facts supporting the person or ballot item for which you vote.

Jeffersonian Liberal

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.

As Mr. Romney put it, Obama doesn't pick winners and losers, he just picks losers. And so does Ann Arbor.com.

Arborcomment

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.

Just to add context to slowson's &quot;sunny picture of success&quot;:
Raser Technologies, 2010 $33 million. Filed bankruptcy 2012, fewer than 10 employees, owes $1.5 million in back taxes.
Ecotality $126.2 million in 2009. Don Kramer, CEO of the company sat in the First Lady's box during 2010 State of the Union. SEC filings, $45M loss and &quot;may not achieve profitability&quot;. Company is under SEC investigation for insider trading and Kramer subpoenaed.
Nevada Geothermal, $95.5 million 2010. October 2011 NYT reports company in financial turmoil, Company's own auditor: &quot;significant doubt of company's ability to continue&quot;.
First Solar $400 million loan guarantee 2010. February 2012, company halts production, lays off employees.
Beacon Power, $43 million loan guarantee. Fall of 2011, delisted from NASDAQ and filed for bankruptcy.
SunPower, $1.2 billion, as of Jan 2012, company owes more than it is worth.
Brightsource, $1.6 billion - posted a continous string of losses, now totaling $177 million.
Solyndra $535 million.
A123
Fisker, $279 million. Program suspended.
Per Politico, DoE Inspector General now has 100 criminal investigations ongoing.
Per Hoover Institue study: 71% of Obama's DoE loans/grants went to individuals who were bundlers, members of Obama's National Finance Committee or large donors to the democratic party.

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.

As Mr. Romney puts...of course he doesn't know what a &quot;fact is&quot;. Romney claims &quot;half&quot; of the companies that received stimulus money are now bankrupt, that couldn't be further from the truth...
There were a total of 26 companies that received approval for $16 billion in loan guarantees under the section 1705 program. So, 11.5 percent of the companies — not half — have filed for bankruptcy. And those companies were approved for a little more than 6 percent of the $16 billion in total loan guarantees.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:08 a.m.

Good call !

Chase Ingersoll

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:48 p.m.

Yes. GM and Chrysler were the losers and Obama should be in jail for violating the federal law that was to protect bond holders.
And now the volt is a big loser and gm is being propped up.
People are putting their money on this issue and buying Fords.

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.

Are you sure that Romney is still saying that? If he is, it is the only statement that he hasn't changed once, twice or more times?
Romney has changed his positions and policies so frequently I bet you have trouble deciding which ones you like and can name them!

northside

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:02 p.m.

He picked GM &amp; Chrysler. Are you calling those companies and their many Michigan employees losers?

jcj

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.

If ANYONE thinks who a2.com endorses is going to sway a voter.... well I hope that person is not registered.

Kyle Mattson

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.

Hi jcj- Check out my reply to Halter above.

joe.blow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:11 p.m.

Also, I would suggest not bothering to read the story. Reading liberal brainwashing will only drive ya' nuts!

PattyinYpsi

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 5:54 p.m.

Oh! So THAT explains it, joe.blow!

joe.blow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.

Wow, I was on edge waiting for that one! aa.com supports a liberal!

PhillyCheeseSteak

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.

Obama is a moderate, not a liberal. Just ask any liberal.

Eat Local A2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:09 p.m.

How many more years of a bullying executive branch, no willingness to engage with the Congress, and intermittent and uneven attention to diplomatic and security issues should we endure with the excuse that there were challenges when Obama took office? If things don't get better immediately perchance we'll give a Biden administration just a few more years in 2017 and 2018?
WE'VE HAD ENOUGH! It is time for a change in 2012.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:10 a.m.

Good call Eat local !

1bit

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:51 p.m.

ELA2: A very myopic post. There were 8 years of GWB prior to the last four of BHO. Maybe you are only 4 years old? What you are saying goes back decades at least. Blaming a Democrat or Republican is the place for a party hack, not for someone thinking independently.

sneekysneaky

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.

Debra, if you think the right direction is moving toward socialism your statement is true. Obamas contention that he would not tax middle class is because there wont be any middle class employed to tax!
Obama had 4 years to do something to improve America. He said if he could not succeed in 4 years he should not get a second term. Why now he says it will be different the next 4 years? Fact is it will be worse if he is reelected and the socialism with debt will be unrestricted.

bluetonguedlizard

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:54 p.m.

Eat Local A2 go ahead and vote for Romney cause he's not a bully at all...

Great Lakes Lady

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.

Debra, &quot;Why change a good thing?&quot; Seriously, do some research on Benghazi, Solyndra, the US economy, etc. Clearly you work for the U and have a good paying job with great benefits while the rest of the country is in a deep recession.

motorcycleminer

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.

Band wagon...thats a stretch...it's a manure wagon...

Debra Adams

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.

We got a change in the right direction in 2008 and look how good it has been for our country! Why change a good thing?

Debra Adams

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.

It is obvious that a lot of Republican's have been upset by this endorsement. Maybe they would feel better if they got on the right band wagon.

The Black Stallion3

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 12:07 p.m.

Imagine that !!!!! AA.com endorsing Obama.......who would ever have guessed?

LindaJ

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.

To 1Bit: If, as you put it, only a &quot;party hack&quot; would &quot;blame a Democrat or a Republican,&quot; what are you implying about our president, who has spent many months blaming Bush?

bluetonguedlizard

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.

aa.com owners are VERY Republican

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:43 p.m.

Thanks, Kyle.
I do believe that The Ann Arbor News came out for Rick Snyder for Governor in 2010. I believe that he is still a Republican.

Kyle Mattson

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.

Hi Stallion3- Here is the breakdown of presidential endorsements for the other MLive news hubs: http://bit.ly/aadc-12mle

Do your research HB11 it's a well known fact that the owners of aa.com are fierce republicans.

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.

Which is another reason why Ann Arbor is so respected.

A2 Sense 1959

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:42 a.m.

After what happened in Benghazi? Do you know that you are backing an administration that did nothing to save 4 Americans and even said NO 3 times to send them help to them? Fact!

bobslowson

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.

So sick of Benghazi...what about the 155,000 people that lost their lives for Bush's war? Why weren't republicans screaming bloody murder then? Republicans also BLOCKED appropriations for more security. The GOP is so hypocritical it makes my head spin

talker

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 2:04 a.m.

Also, it was up to Congress to vote for additional security funds that the President wanted. The Republican majority in the House of Representatives voted &quot;no&quot; for additional security funds that were needed.

RayA2

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.

Anyone who voted for W in 2004 should not utter a sound about what happened in Libya. Losing tembassy personnel to a coordinated attack in The wild, lawless land of Libya is nothing compared to losing 2000+ civilians in New York and Washinton DC. W was warned of the attack directly. His immediate response when it happened was to continue reading the book to a group of children.

A2 Sense 1959

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 4:04 p.m.

What do you Titus? Kept safe how? TSA haha. Americans keep me safe! And Veracity you say I should withhold judgement. &quot;BTW, one defense expert believes that the requested additional protection for the Benghazi embassy would have been insufficient to prevent the deaths of the four Americans.&quot; They watched in real time the killing of man the say was Osama bin Laden (No Proof) at 1 am in the morning, Benghazi start at 4 in the afternoon and sources say they watched in real time at the White house. And only 1 person in that situation can give the NO ORDER OR THE YES ORDER and we all know how that was!

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.

Investigations into the cause and the administrations participation in the tragedy have not been completed so you should withhold judgement.
Members of Obama's administration should be held responsible for their mistakes, if any occurred. However, I hope that you do not believe that the President personally decided not to protect the embassy.
BTW, one defense expert believes that the requested additional protection for the Benghazi embassy would have been insufficient to prevent the deaths of the four Americans.

bunnyabbot

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.

and if something did happen it would just be called &quot;work place violence&quot;

Titus

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.

yeah. and thankfully you've not been kept safe, either. Oh! No! Wait... YOU HAVE BEEN!

Hot Sam

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:12 a.m.

AA.Com should really take a close look at that GM thing...what Romney actually said...what actually happened...where the money actually went, and most importantly, where they are actually at now.
You've done a great job of repeating the Democrat party talking points...

Hot Sam

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.

Costs are too high to attain long term viability...
http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2012-02-16/record-profits-but-still-mixed-success-at-gm

Hot Sam

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.

Two can play the &quot;facts&quot; game...I didn't put forth any. I did however request that the &quot;news&quot; source closer examine how the bondholders lost fortunes, while the unions had a heyday, and bankruptcy took place regardless. I will state one fact, and that is the taxpayers are still owed north of twenty billion dollars, and the GM can has just been kicked down the road...

Chase Ingersoll

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.

It was the last line of the NYT editorial that Romney authored, that the federal government should guarantee the post bankruptcy loans of the reorganized companies.

Veracity

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.

How about &quot;educating&quot; us, Hot Sam. And please do not just list your &quot;facts&quot; without including URL reference sites or highly regarded periodicals that support your claims.

taxpayer united

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:47 a.m.

Glad to see. Now I will go the other way. I was on the fence but with your help I will go with Romney.
Go ahead and delete me you usually do even if the so called guidelines are not violated. If a post is against your thinking its usually axed.

clownfish

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.

Now the facts hit the fan...you posy has not been removed and .com says only one of your past posts has been removed. With this information would you care to clarify your remarks, Senator?

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:19 a.m.

Chimay.....what taxpayer is saying is annarbor.com is wrong in so many ways, mostly two sets of guildelines which they chose to follow or not. Most times not. Therefore taxpayer believes that their credibility is very bad in endorsing a selection. A very good assessment by taxpayer.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:12 a.m.

Taxpayer - you are right on in everything !

Erik Gable

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.

Hey now ... let's not let facts get in the way of a perfectly good persecution complex!

Paula Gardner

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.

I'm only seeing one comment under this login blocked over the past several months. If you have concerns about blocked comments in general, please let us know.

Debra Adams

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.

Ignorance is not excuse.

Chimay

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 11:24 a.m.

Really? You base your vote on who AnnArbor.com endorses? Get a life.

Halter

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 10:41 a.m.

Thank goodness an AnnArbor.com endorsement is meaningless...

DonBee

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.

...And in Ann Arbor any other endorsement is liable to get you lynched.

Terry Star21

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 4:14 a.m.

Yes - In many, many, many ways Halter !

Unusual Suspect

Mon, Oct 29, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.

I have always wondered: by what criteria do media outlets (I refuse to call this a &quot;newspaper&quot;) presume their endorsement is at all relevant? Who cares? AnnArbor.com can't vote, so it's completely meaningless.

Sparty

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.

Love the mud-slinging that Michael Bow says he doesn't want, but then says that Kyle Mattson is full of crap. LoL. Do these Republicans who keep harping on about the lack of a federal budget truly believe US Government has operated for 4 years without a budget? The US Constitution requires the CONGRESS to pass Appropriations Bills for each Cabinet Department and agency of the Federal Government and have them signed by the President each year. This was done. These bills contain the budget detail, line by line. Get educated, for goodness sakes.

Goober

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.

To Michael Bow....
If I could give you a thousand 'up votes', I would do so.
You are so correct!
Also.....sure wish I had a .com news vehicle so I could voice my political opinions. I thought news agencies were supposed to be non-political.

Michael Bow

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.

Kyle, you are so full of crap. You think that somehow you're opinion is reflective of the population at large. Maybe you should read the comments here. I love how you're trying to sway our opinion by saying, &quot;reflects is what we see as the best choice for Washtenaw county as a whole.&quot; Maybe lower taxes, a actual federal budget and lack of mud slinging would be better for us. Please Mr. Expert, please tell me how not having a budget in 4 years helps us? You are an elitist.

Kyle Mattson

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:57 p.m.

Hi Halter- We don't expect our endorsement to change the tide of the election season, but what it reflects is what we see as the best choice for Washtenaw county as a whole. Obviously, in politics there are points which we all consider with varying levels of importance when voting for a candiate or proposal. What I'm wondering is if there is a specific topic in the 2012 presidential race which our readers are consider most important to the Ann Arbor area in this year's election. We noted a few above such as healthcare, but what do you think?

Goober

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.

If I could give you a thousand 'up votes', I would do so.
You are so correct!